Significant advances in our knowledge of genetics were made during the twentieth century but in the most recent decades, genetic research has dramatically increased its impact throughout society. Genetic issues are now playing a large role in health and public policy, and new knowledge in this field will continue to have significant implications for individuals and society. Written for the non-majors human genetics course, Human Genetics, Third Edition will increase the genetics knowledge of students who are learning about human genetics for the first time. This thorough revision of the best-selling Human Genome, Second Edition includes entirely new chapters on forensics, stem cell biology, bioinformatics, and societal/ethical issues associated with the field. New special features boxes make connections between human genetics and human health and disease. Carefully crafted pedagogy includes chapter-opening case studies that set the stage for each chapter; concept statements interspersed throughout the chapter that keep first-time students focused on key concepts; and end-of-chapter questions and critical thinking activities. This new edition will contribute to creating a genetically literate student population that understands basic biological research, understands elements of the personal and health implications of genetics, and participates effectively in public policy issues involving genetic information. - Includes topical material on forensics, disease studies, and the human genome project to engage non-specialist students - Full, 4-color illustration program enhances and reinforces key concepts and themes - Uniform organization of chapters includes interest boxes that focus on human health and disease, chapter-opening case studies, and concept statements to engage non-specialist readers

Describes the ten-year, multimillion dollar Human Genome Project and its process of gene mapping; includes concerns of critics of the project.

A unique exploration of the principles and methods underlying the Human Genome Project and modern molecular genetics and biotechnology-from two top researchers In Genomics, Charles R. Cantor, former director of the Human Genome Project, and Cassandra L. Smith give the first integral overview of the strategies and technologies behind the Human Genome Project and the field of molecular genetics and biotechnology. Written with a range of readers in mind-from chemists and biologists to computer scientists and engineers-the book begins with a review of the basic properties of DNA and the chromosomes that package it in cells. The authors describe the three main techniques used in DNA analysis-hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and electrophoresis-and present a complete exploration of DNA mapping in its many different forms. By explaining both the theoretical principles and practical foundations of modern molecular genetics to a wide audience, the book brings the scientific community closer to the ultimate goal of understanding the biological function of DNA. Genomics features: * Topical organization within chapters for easy reference * A discussion of the developing methods of sequencing, such as sequencing by hybridization (SBH) in which data is read through words instead of letters * Detailed explanations and critical evaluations of the many different types of DNA maps that can be generated-including cytogenic and restriction maps as well as interspecies cell hybrids * Informed predictions for the future of DNA sequencing

A concise description of the structure of the human genome and the ways in which recent knowledge is influencing medical research and practice. If you have any interest in the Human Genome Project, this book is a must!

James Watson, a discoverer of the structure of DNA, described it as "the most golden of molecules," the true chemical for life. Indeed, it is the essential component from which our genes are made. In it is encoded the genetic language that controls our destinies. Astonishingly powerful, just six millionths of a gram of DNA carries as much information as ten volumes of the Oxford English Dictionary. The "Book of Man," is the term used by Walter Bodmer and Robin McKie for the DNA that is the instruction set according to which all humans are made. At conception, a single cell--the fertilized egg--is produced, and it is this one cell that has the potential to form a new and unique individual under the guidance of the DNA within its nucleus. The human body is made up of a hundred million million cells of many different sorts, and all contain the inherited information that comes from that first, single cell created at fertilization. Bodmer and McKie assert that when we learn how to read DNA's pages and chapters we will obtain the information relevant to the understanding of most diseases, individual differences in behavior, and a new awareness of our own history and evolution. The Book of Man explores how genetic information is now being read and interpreted by focusing on biology's most ambitious undertaking to date--the Human Genome Project, an attempt to uncover all the 100,000 genes that control our development and detail the DNA alphabet of each. The authors go on to wrestle with the moral and ethical issues of modern genetics, making a case for a rational appraisal of genetic engineering and for the public to become sufficiently "DNA literate" in order to appreciate the crucial role it plays in our lives. From Gregor Mendel's discovery of the laws of inheritance to the high-tech, crime-stopping power of forensics science and the fascinating but sometimes troublesome implications of the latest science of genetic engineering, The Book of Man brilliantly explores and explains the quest that is changing our understanding of what it means to be a human being.

This book provides a detailed evidence-based overview of the latest developments in how the structure of the human genome is relevant to the health professional. It features comprehensive reviews of genome science including human chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA structure, protein-coding and noncoding genes, and the diverse classes of repeat elements of the human genome. These concepts are then built upon to provide context as to how they functionally relate to differences in phenotypic traits that can be observed in human populations. Guidance is also provided on how this information can be applied by the medical practitioner in day-to-day clinical practice. Human Genome Structure, Function and Clinical Considerations collates the latest developments in genome science and current methods for genome analysis that are relevant for the clinician, researcher and scientist who utilises precision medicine techniques and is an essential resource for any such practitioner.

Although the human genome has been sequenced, it can be difficult to find answers to seemingly simple questions about its characteristics. How many genes are there? Which genes are commonly associated with genetic diseases? How many DNA-binding proteins, mobile elements, or kinases are present? What are the major differences between human proteins and those of other species? This convenient handbook, written in question-and-answer format, allows researchers and teachers alike access to basic facts about the human genome.

The Human Genome Project has been called a scientific "search for the Holy Grail" or the genetics equivalent of the moon race. Thousands of researchers worldwide are analyzing the details of human DNA, hoping to identify all of the tens of thousands of human genes that are the blueprint for the human body. Physicist and writer Tom Wilkie offers a lively, compelling history of this scientifically fascinating and politically contentious undertaking. Beginning with the discovery of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, Wilkie's narrative unfolds with the intrigue of a detective story. He reviews in nontechnical terms the many step-by-step developments from different scientific teams that finally made it seem as if it would be possible to sequence the human genome. He goes on to consider the potential social consequences, good and bad, of learning to manipulate the human genetic code. What will happen as we try to prevent and cure disease or attempt to "improve" ourselves and our children by genetic means? A most readable introduction to the science of genetics and the potential consequences of the Human Genome Project, Perilous Knowledge provides background for the startling headlines that quite possibly signal changes to all human life in the next century. "After decades of painstaking research, seemingly disparate paths into the sciences of molecular biology, chemistry, biology and genetics have converged. Suddenly the scientists realize that they are . . . at the peak of a mountain where all the surrounding landscape is clear to their view. They are confident now that they can tackle one of the biggest and most profound issues in their science: unravelling the message of human inheritance."--from the Preface The Human Genome Project has been called a scientific "search for the Holy Grail" or the genetics equivalent of the moon race. Thousands of researchers worldwide are analyzing the details of human DNA, hoping to identify all of the tens of thousands of human genes that are the blueprint for the human body. Physicist and writer Tom Wilkie offers a lively, compelling history of this scientifically fascinating and politically contentious undertaking. Beginning with the discovery of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, Wilkie's narrative unfolds with the intrigue of a detective story. He reviews in nontechnical terms the many step-by-step developments from different scientific teams that finally made it seem as if it would be possible to sequence the human genome. He goes on to consider the potential social consequences, good and bad, of learning to manipulate the human genetic code. What will happen as we try to prevent and cure disease or attempt to "improve" ourselves and our children by genetic means? A most readable introduction to the science of genetics and the potential consequences of the Human Genome Project, Perilous Knowledge provides background for the startling headlines that quite possibly signal changes to all human life in the next century. "After decades of painstaking research, seemingly disparate paths into the sciences of molecular biology, chemistry, biology and genetics have converged. Suddenly the scientists realize that they are . . . at the peak of a mountain where all the surrounding landscape is clear to their view. They are confident now that they can tackle one of the biggest and most profound issues in their science: unravelling the message of human inheritance."--from the Preface

Human Genome Informatics: Translating Genes into Health examines the most commonly used electronic tools for translating genomic information into clinically meaningful formats. By analyzing and comparing interpretation methods of whole genome data, the book discusses the possibilities of their application in genomic and translational medicine. Topics such as electronic decision-making tools, translation algorithms, interpretation and translation of whole genome data for rare diseases are thoroughly explored. In addition, discussions of current human genome databases and the possibilities of big data in genomic medicine are presented. With an updated approach on recent techniques and current human genomic databases, the book is a valuable source for students and researchers in genome and medical informatics. It is also ideal for workers in the bioinformatics industry who are interested in recent developments in the field. - Provides an overview of the most commonly used electronic tools to translate genomic information - Brings an update on the existing human genomic databases that directly impact genome interpretation - Summarizes and comparatively analyzes interpretation methods of whole genome data and their application in genomic medicine