A brief history of genetics / Chris Rider.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rider, Chris, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Genetics--History.

Genetics.

Popular science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (225 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom : Cambridge Scholars Publisher, [2020]

Summary:

Biological inheritance, the passage of key characteristics down the generations, has always held mankind's fascination. It is fundamental to the breeding of plants and animals with desirable traits. Genetics, the scientific study of inheritance, can be traced back to a particular set of simple but ground-breaking studies carried out 170 years ago. The awareness that numerous diseases are inherited gives this subject considerable medical importance. The progressive advances in genetics now bring us to the point where we have unravelled the entire human genome, and that of many other species. We can intervene very precisely with the genetic make-up of our agricultural crops and animals, and even ourselves. Genetics now enables us to understand cancer and develop novel protein medicines. It has also provided us with DNA fingerprinting for the solving of serious crime. This book explains for a lay readership how, where and when this powerful science emerged.

Contents:

Intro

Dedication

Table of Contents

List of Figures

List of Text Boxes and Tables

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 THE BEGINNINGS OF GENETICS: GREGOR MENDEL (1822-188

Chapter 2 GENES ARE DNA (1885-1944)

Chapter 3 UNDERSTANDING AND READING GENES: THE UNIVERSAL GENETIC CODE AND THE DOUBLE HELIX (1890S TO 1960S)

Chapter 4 SEQUENCING GENES AND THE HUMAN GENOME (1960S-2000S)

Chapter 5 GENES AND DISEASES: FINDING MUTATIONS IN INHERITED DISEASES AND CANCER (1980S TO PRESENT)

Chapter 6 THE USES OF GENETICS

Chapter 7 EPILOGUE - EPIGENETICS: BEYOND GENETICS (1985 TO PRESENT)

Glossary of Scientific Terms

Further Reading

Index.

Notes:

Includes index.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-5275-6130-5

OCLC:

1204137501