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50 Genetics Ideas You Really Need to Know (50 Ideas You Really Need to Know series) Hardcover – 2 Apr 2009

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Mark Henderson (Author)
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Mark Henderson (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 19 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Quercus (2 April 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1847246710
  • ISBN-13: 978-1847246714
  • Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 2.2 x 21 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 80,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Book Description

A fascinating and accessible introduction to the key ideas of genetics

From the Inside Flap

Are our personalities inherited or made? What can DNA reveal about human history? How significant was the creation of Dolly the sheep? And will we soon be designing babies to order?
Mark Henderson, science editor of The Times, distils the central concepts of this newest of sciences in a series of 50 lucid and engaging short essays.
Beginning with Darwin's theory of evolution and concluding with the most recent, and controversial, scientific advances, he shows how knowledge of our genetic code has changed our understanding of life on Earth.
Full of everyday examples, enlightening quotations and helpful diagrams, 50 Genetics Ideas: Tells us how life came to be the way it is, unlocking the secrets of chromosomes, DNA and the human genome; Explains how our individuality if forged, be it through nature or nurture; Reveals how genetics can help the fight against cancer, HIV, malaria and superbugs; Explores the major ethical issues around divisive topics such as stem cell research, cloning and the potential for artificial life; Illuminates the very latest thinking on junk DNA, evo-devo and epigenetics, and points towards what the future might hold for the human race.
Accessible, informative and utterly fascinating, 50 Genetics Ideas is both a timely overview of this ground-breaking strand of science and an essential insight into what makes each one of us truly unique.

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4.0 out of 5 starsBrief review
By M. E. Hanson on 1 Jun. 2009
Format: Hardcover
Well written in a quickly digestible form. Should appeal to those whose knowledge of genetics has not kept pace over the years and to lay people. Good value for money and merits its title.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThe genetic blueprint for success
By Edward Vallance on 24 Jun. 2009
Format: Hardcover
If there's a gene for writing great popular science books, Mark Henderson must have it. Fans of his Times column will not be disappointed by this snappy and informative book. Henderson cuts through the pseudo-science surrounding genetics to deliver clear, sane and highly readable insights into what is today possibly the most cutting-edge field of scientific endeavour.
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5.0 out of 5 starsClarity at last .............Darwin -> Mendel-> Crick & Watson
By I. A. Peden on 30 Sept. 2013
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Having unsuccessfully tried to read, many genetic books, where the author "makes no apology" for the Latin biological verbiage that obscures any understanding of the subject, I was taken aback by the simplicity and elegance of the language of this book!

This book answered many questions:
1: My brother has the same parental DNA as me , why then, are we not identical?

2: Why are only 20 proteins coded from the 64 combinations available from four bits?

3: Why SEX ? all that sweat....for what?

4: If Mendel's pea genes program for discrete colour or height, why are we not graded into discrete sets by height , or personality?

Great wee book!
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5.0 out of 5 stars50 Genetic ideas you really need to know
By Dr L. Fyfield on 8 Nov. 2009
Format: Hardcover
This is an excellent book written for the layman about a difficult subject in terms that are understandable but not patronising. Some scientists and those in the medical profession would find it useful too!
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5.0 out of 5 starsGreat read
By brutus on 3 July 2010
Format: Hardcover
This is the 1st of the "50" series I've read. Since then I've bought many more. Its a great read, a book where everytime I'd read a chapter I'd think, just one more before bed! If you have any interest in this area, even casual, I'd highly recommend you read this book.
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5.0 out of 5 stars50 Genetic Ideas
By Paddyfields on 13 Mar. 2012
Format: Hardcover
This book is written by a professional science reporter and is very well laid out with simple explanations, summaries of key ideas, adequate repetition of information for the layman and a useful glossary. In short I can't fault it as an introduction and perhaps more to the key ideas in the rapidly expanding field of genetics
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4.0 out of 5 starsA clear introduction to a complex subject
By Shalom Freedman on 23 July 2014
Format: Hardcover
This is the kind of book I read to learn basic things about a subject I do not know much about. When it is a scientific subject as with this book I often gain only partial understanding and generally address only those areas of interest to me. This book seems to me a respectable introductory work. I had long worried about human cloning but this book suggests that the practical difficulties along with the moral objections mean it is not going to move ahead in a real way in the foreseeable future. The book also dispels simplistic single gene to trait theories and provides a more complex understanding of how gene interactions operate. It is written in a clear and interesting way.
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1.0 out of 5 starsHenderson owns the skill of translating complex genetic concepts into intriguing reads BUT....
By Annannanna on 1 Feb. 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Henderson owns the skill of translating complex genetic concepts into intriguing reads for people who don’t necessarily share a scientific background. He also touches on some of the most fascinating topics of the discipline, making this book a stimulating read. I found his work remarkable until the point I reached the GMO chapter, a subject I know well enough to take an informed stance.
I was very disappointed to see his approach about this controversial subject being biased towards the wrong end. I found him absurd to support that crossbreeding between plants for agricultural purposes can be as unnatural as genetically modified species. Plus, that the only reason these foods have yet to enter the European market is because they were out around the same time that mad cow disease was on, thing that created bad connotation between these two (not the lack of evidence to support the safety of these new forms of life!). I tried to digest his viewpoint with an open mind but couldn’t help growing sceptical about the validity of his work, let alone the scientific origin.
After some research, it seems that the author’s scientific knowledge lies solely within his 11-year experience in as Science Correspondent and Editor at The Times (his academic studies were in History). During his time as a journalist, he proved to be a “GMO enthusiast” often basing his “scientific research” on publications produced by multi-billion corporations as the likes of Monsanto. Corporations that have received an overwhelming amount of bad press over the years for distorting facts, obscuring the truth and falsely favoring genetic engineering research that suits their billion dollar business model. For this reason I am skeptical about the validity, let alone the intension of Henderson’s work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Simple enough but with enough detail to make it worth reading for the information.

Published 8 months ago by claudialogan
5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recommended!

Excellent. The 50 easily digested chunks just right for the times between checks and medication during a spell in hospital! Read more

Published 9 months ago by Mrs. J. Floyd
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent

Published on 3 July 2014 by Peter Lee
5.0 out of 5 starsThank you.

Awesome, everything you wanted to know in very reasonable sections. This is the book I've been searching for, explains everything without a need for another source.

Published on 7 May 2014 by PSmart
5.0 out of 5 starsI Learned Much From This Excellent Book

Fifty topics on genetics are discussed in this excellent, highly readable work. Entries are grouped by them - molecular genetics, nature and nurture, the genome, some ethical... Read more

Published on 10 Oct. 2013 by Andy
5.0 out of 5 starsWhy did I order this book?

My daughter is a young geneticist. 3 months ago she had done her Ph.D. thesis.
This book will be a present for her!
Sincerely yours,
Elena

Published on 20 Mar. 2013 by Elena Barsukova
4.0 out of 5 starsExcellent breadth

This is a really good book to dip into as each of the 50 ideas are only 4 pages long. It covers the classic genetic experiments, evolution, cloning and eugenics, all the way up to... Read more

Published on 7 Jan. 2013 by Martensgirl
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat read

Very interesting read, would recommend anyone interested in this type of book to buy, and will keep and refer to on many occasions

Published on 31 Dec. 2012 by Mrs. S. Grime
4.0 out of 5 starsDolly good!

The concept is simple - take 50 central ideas concerning genetics and describe each of them in a chapter of 4 pages, including a timeline, some quotes, sidebars, illustrations. Read more

Published on 21 July 2012 by Dr Dombo
5.0 out of 5 starsReview

Very interesting book, great for beginners. Good price value. If you have an intrest for this kinda stuff then its your type of reading material.

Published on 11 Jun. 2012 by Jimmy

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