Product Description
University of Leicester, UK. Clear, concise reference guide begins with the fundamental concepts and basic science regarding cell biology and genetics ending with medical genetics, cloning, and gene therapy. Includes multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay questions. Bullet-outline format with illustrations. Previous edition c1998. ... Read more

Product Description
When DNA profiling was first introduced into the American legal system in 1987, it was heralded as a technology that would revolutionize law enforcement. As an investigative tool, it has lived up to much of this hype--it is regularly used to track down unknown criminals, put murderers and rapists behind bars, and exonerate the innocent.

Yet, this promise took ten turbulent years to be fulfilled.In Genetic Witness, Jay D. Aronson uncovers the dramatic early history of DNA profiling that has been obscured by the technique's recent success.He demonstrates that robust quality control and quality assurance measures were initially nonexistent, interpretation of test results was based more on assumption than empirical evidence, and the technique was susceptible to error at every stage. Most of these issues came to light only through defense challenges to what prosecutors claimed to be an infallible technology.Although this process was fraught with controversy, inefficiency, and personal antagonism, the quality of DNA evidence improved dramatically as a result. Aronson argues, however, that the dream of a perfect identification technology remains unrealized. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Must read sociology of science book
This book sheds light on the social production of science and the courts.A compelling read for anyone interested in the process through which new forms of testing and the consequences of DNA test results moved from the lab to the courtroom.

Genetic Witness - Reviewed
"Genetic Witness" by Jay D. Aronson is the history of the introduction, implementation, fortes and foibles of using DNA in Criminal cases on the National level in America.

The book, "Justice and Science" by George "Woody" Clarke does the same thing from the view point of local and state levels based in criminal cases in San Diego, CA.

"Genetic Witnesses" does an excellent job in documenting the historic challenge of standardizing DNA markers to be an outstanding tool in the criminal justice system.

This book covers most areas of concern regarding the use of DNA on the National level without getting bogged down in ad nausea or being difficult to read. The author takes the time to explain when needed and provides copious notes and a detailed index.

One of the things that I really like about this book is the warning regarding the human factor in technology. We often push people to get the job done in the quickest and most cost effective manner. Management always acts in horror when their stress in this area pushes people to cheat to get results. "Give the boss what he wants" attitude regardless of the errors or contrary evidence, unrealistic deadlines and job loads, outdated equipment, poor training and underfunding all contribute to an impact on DNA errors and documentation.

Not only the public has been impacted by the "CSI effect", J. D. Aronson extends, without specifically mentioning, this to the Judges, District Attorneys, Investigators and Lab Managers that the human factor will contribute unrealistic expectations and error rates from DNA evidence. The efforts to limit this are the next challenge in the DNA saga.

"Genetic Witness" is a historic book that is excellent at documenting the early rise of DNA, the challenges, acceptance and warning to the DNA use in the Criminal Courts in America.

This book is a must read for those learning about DNA, criminal justice and criminology.

A must read for anyone interested in DNA evidence
Genetic Witness, covering forensic DNA science, technology and law is an extremely well researched and factual book, yet almost reads like a true crime novel. Aronson, an expert in his field, as well as an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has written this book is such a way that it appeals to a variety of audiences including: students, anyone fascinated by true crime or television shows such as CSI, or those in need of valid and reliable information about how DNA has been used in the legal system over the past 20 years. I highly recommend 'Genetic Witness' by Jay D. Aronson. ... Read more

Product Description
<11th Hour> Univ. of Washington, Seattle. Exam review for students preparing for midterm, final, and board exams. Includes essential background, key points, topic tests, answers, clinical correlation and applications, demonstration problems, chapter tests, performance diagram, and online help. Softcover. ... Read more

Product Description
First Prize in the Medicine category at the British Medical Association Book Awards 2008

The complex field of medical genetics is simplified in Medical Genetics at a Glance, with important scientific principles and clinical material broken into bite-sized chapters. This popular introduction and revision aid covers the core scientific principles relevant to an understanding of medical genetics and the clinical applications of this knowledge by discussing common genetic anomalies and their significance in clinical practice. This edition contains increased clinical relevance and features:

• Consideration of the latest practical and philosophical aspects of medical genetics
  
• Full-colour illustrations to increase visual appeal
  
• Self-assessment cases to make revision more rewarding and illustrate clinical applications of genetics
  
• A popular and well structured approach to the molecular diagnostic techniques of modern genetics
  
• An international author team based in the UK and USA

Medical Genetics at a Glance is an ideal introduction or concise, highly visual revision aid to genetics for medical students in the early years of their course, and for other students of molecular biology, genetics and genetic counselling. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Easy to use, packed with information
This is an excellent review of a complicated subject.I found the book very accessible with multilevel headings, making it easy to find desired information.Generous use of pictures and diagrams makes the material easy to read and remember. The breadth of this book is impressive for a review.I liked the use of case histories at the end, although I wish there were more cases.Great for first year genetics, or for step 1 board review.I will continue to use this book as a reference when I need a quick refresher of a genetics topic.

Great review of basic genetics
I used this book for my PhD qualifying exam studying and enjoyed the easy to reference and learn approach.

Great for review, or as an addition to a course in genetics
As an older medical student with some distance between me and my biology courses in college, I found this book extremely helpful in understanding medical genetics.Unfortunately, I didn't find it until after USMLE Step 1, but it would have been fantastic as a review tool to augment the sparse information that most Step 1 review books include on genetics.I can see it being an excellent companion to a medical or graduate school course in genetics, especially for those of us who never read the massive textbooks cover to cover....

This book included useful details that many review-style books fail to include, and the numerous pictures accompanying detailed, generally narrative-style text made for good reinforcement of facts and helped with memorization.

Things I found particularly useful --
Part I is devoted to developmental biology, and includes basic cell biology and embryology -- in about 30 pages.This was a great reference to have as I carried this book around on its own.

More information than the usual review-text on things like twin studies, genetic linkage, and gene mapping.

Excellent section on immunogenetics, covering the complicated rearrangements responsible for immunoglobulin diversity that are usually left to an immunology course, where the genetics aspects are poorly explained.This book helps you to synthesize the information you may have had presented in several different courses here, and presents things quite clearly and succinctly.

An entire Part devoted to clinical applications of genetics -- with individual sections that are nice and short, so while topics are well-described, they are not beaten into the ground, and you won't mind reading the whole thing!

Overall -- I wish I'd had this book sooner!It painlessly explains a lot of topics that I never quite got in my courses, and includes many diagrams that help with understanding AND memorization.It may lack the heavy clinical detail you might want in a reference for the wards as a medical student, but it's an excellent tool for the first two years, and for basic science review later. ... Read more

Product Description
It is now almost a decade since the identification of the Huntington's Disease gene and its mutation.Major advances in our understanding of the disorder have been made during this time.Since publication of the first two editions, much more extensive evidence exists on how the HD mutation actually causes brain pathology.Experimental tools are now available to take this research further towards new therapeutic approaches. Due to these major changes, this well-established book has been radically updated.An international group of leaders in their particular fields cover the major recent advances in the genetics and neurobiology of the disease. Developments in our understanding of how the molecular basis of the disorder results in brain degeneration, with full coverage of transgenic animal models, neurochemical studies and advances in neuropathology are discussed in detail. The clinical sections cover both neurological and psychiatric aspects as well as new developments in therapy. This book will continue to provide an invaluable source of information for clinicians and scientists involved with Huntington's Disease, including geneticists, psychiatrists and neurologists and basic research workers in genetics and neurobiology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very informative book
This is an excellent, comprehensive book about Huntington's Disease.It is written for doctors, scientists, and other professionals dealing with Huntington's Disease but can also be read by Huntington's Disease families who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the disease. Each chapter is written by experts.There is information about the history of Huntington's Disease, its neuropathology, the psychiatric and behavioral problems, research, genetics, epidemiology, and the treatment of symptoms.

In addition the information about HD that has been published in medical and scientific journals, there is some valuable information from clinical practice that can't be found elsewhere.

I purchased the book to help me answer questions posed by readers of my HD websites and I have found it to be very valuable. ... Read more

Product Description
This timely volume clearly lays out the central ethical questions raised by today's rapid advances in biotechnology. James Peterson sorts through the maze of clinical decisions occasioned by human genetic intervention, organizing the range of moral considerations that now face us and exploring their practical impact on individuals, families, and communities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

About the link between genetics, genetic programs and ethics
Genetic Turning Points provides an important link between genetics, genetic programs and ethics, examining the new choices and questions which arise through company interactions with humans. From clinical implications to the technology involved, this is written by a lay reader for lay readers and assumes no prior scientific grounding.

Clear Thinking on Genetic Ethics
In the past few decades the advances in bio-technology and genetics have been astounding. The scientific and technical breakthroughs have far out-stripped our ability to consider their ethical ramifications. The developments in the Human Genome project alone are raising many legal, ethical and social issues that need to be carefully thought through.

A number of books have appeared recently which examine these new developments, and their impact of society. One of the newest and most helpful discussions to date is this volume. Peterson has the advantage of not only having a PhD in ethics, but of having worked as a researcher in molecular and clinical genetics. So he knows about both worlds, and is able to deftly bring the two together in this incisive and comprehensive volume.

Writing from a Christian perspective, Peterson is able to discuss in detail the intricacies of genetic engineering without bogging the reader down in an overly technical fashion. He examines a number of the controversial issues: genetic testing, genetic screening, genetic surgery, genetic patents, genetic drugs, and genetic manipulation. While acknowledging the tremendous potential for good that the new genetic frontiers can offer, he is also keenly aware of the potential dangers and pitfalls.

Any one of these issues could warrant a whole book. Take the issue of genetic surgery. Many ethical questions are raised here. What exactly is a person? When we alter the physical attributes of a person, do we alter the person? Are we in fact creating people when we use genetic surgery? Could genetic surgery extend to behavioural issues as well? Peterson does a more than adequate job of laying out the issues and options, keeping the reader informed of the latest in scientific and ethical thinking on the debate.

Indeed, all the latest topics for debate are carefully examined: the Human Genome Project, the possibility of human cloning, and debates about human germline intervention versus somatic cell intervention. And all of this discussion avoids any kind of reductionism, whereby humans are reduced to their genetic make-up. The more we learn about genetics, the more we see their importance. But in spite of their importance, we also know that we are more than our genes. That is where philosophy and theology come in. Science by itself can only give us part of the picture. We need the bigger picture provided by religion and ethics.

Thus the value of this book.Conversant with the latest medical and bio-medical trends and practices, he is also well-versed in the Christian literature - both Catholic and Protestant. He does an admirable job of bringing these two streams together. This is a real advantage in an age where we tend to have either technical experts with no or little moral understanding, or ethical experts with no or little scientific and biological understanding. Such important issues are ill-served when either component is neglected or omitted.

While both components are nicely wedded in this volume, his conclusions on some matters - such as aspects of IVF - may not necessarily please everyone. And on some issues - for example, when does human life begin? - he carefully lays out the options without fully committing himself (although his sympathies do seem to lie with respect for life from conception). But readers can learn much both of the world of genetics and the realm of religion and ethics in this lively and informed book.

The genetic revolution will not go away. It is important that we all become as informed as possible on the issues involved. The way ahead is uncertain. As Peterson makes clear, the new revolution in genetics can be helpful if we are very careful. But there is a dark side to this development which must be eyed carefully. His final admonitions are worth mentioning: "Genetics does not so much make us automatically better as it can make us more capable. Genetic intervention, like many technologies, frees us from some constraints and increases our abilities and choices. Pursued as an end in itself it is at best a distraction, and when all-consuming, idolatry. If all we manage to do is relieve physical suffering and to control our physical world in the finest degree, our potential will be wasted."

In the end, the way the genetic revolution transforms life will in large measure be determined by how we, as informed citizens, keep the whole process in check. Run-away technology is always a danger. But new developments in bio-technology can be a blessing as well. Thus it is imperative that we all become as conversant with the issues as possible. Reading this book is a good place to begin. ... Read more

Product Description
Genetic Variation: A Laboratory Manual is the first compendium of protocols specifically geared towards genetic variation studies, and includes thorough discussions on their applications for human and model organism studies. Intended for graduate students and professional scientists in clinical and research settings, it covers the complete spectrum of genetic variation-from SNPs and microsatellites to more complex DNA alterations, including copy number variation. Written and edited by leading scientists in the field, the early sections of the manual are devoted to study design and generating genotype data, the use of resources such as HapMap and dbSNP, as well as experimental, statistical, and bioinformatic approaches for analyzing the data. The final sections include descriptions of genetic variation in model organisms and discussions of recent insights into human genetic ancestry, forensics, and human variation. Related Titles from the Publisher Basic Methods in Microscopy; Epigenetics; Gene Transfer: Delivery and Expression of DNA and RNA - A Laboratory Manual; Genomes; Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Third Edition; The Condensed Protocols from Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Protein-Protein Interactions: A Molecular Cloning Manual, Second Edition ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

detailed explanations of protocols
Perhaps you might think that a book that calls itself a lab manual is something typically spiral bound. With lots of pages of forms, for the user to fill in various places. Where the manual is the subordinate companion to some fully fledged textbook. And assuredly where the manual is somewhat cheap; not the $165 list price of this book.

But this book differs from most lab manuals. It is not the accompaniment to another text. It is the pulling together of numerous detailed experimental protocols. The materials (reagents and equipment) are made explicit, and so too the methods. There is a modest amount of explanatory prose for a few protocols.

The price still seems a trifle much. Maybe it's due to the specialised audience. ... Read more

Product Description
Many human diseases including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, cancer, and cardiovascular disease have complex genetics that require sophisticated analysis. Genetics of Complex Human Diseases: A Laboratory Manual brings together the tools that geneticists use to find disease genes with the genetic concepts and statistical theories that underpin these research approaches. Topics covered include basic genetics and Mendelian inheritance, statistical methods, genetic epidemiology, linkage studies, transmission disequilibrium test analysis, variance components analysis, genome-wide association studies, copy-number variation, methods for high-throughput genotyping, the complexity of RNA editing, and genetic computer programs. The book's chapters, written by leading investigators in the field, blend practical information and reviews of each topic, providing both the how and the why of complex disease analysis. Genetics of Complex Human Diseases is an important guide for anyone with an interest in human genetics or who uses genetic techniques in the study of diseases with complex inheritance. Related Titles from the Publisher Genetic Variation: A Laboratory Manual Proteomics: A CSHL Course Manual Statistics at the Bench: A Step-by-Step Handbook for Biologists ... Read more

Product Description
This volume represents work by five distinguished ecological geneticists, offering an up-to-date source for theoreticalconcepts and experiments in an exciting field. Combining ecological fieldwork and laboratory genetics, ecological genetics examines the adjustments and adaptations of wild populations to their environments. Articles focus on important interactions between genetics and population ecology, delving into issues like gene flow and migration, population differentiation, the maintenance of genetic variation, and the demographic and spatial structure or populations. The contributors- Janis Antonovics, Michael Lynch, Montgomery Slatkin, Joseph Travis, and Sara Via - emphasize the importance of population size and structure, interaction between local selectionand genetic drift, and an expanded phenotype including quantitative as well as qualitative characters. This new form ofecological genetics focuses on large-scale geographic variation in demographic and genetic dynamics among small, partially isolated populations and will prove extremely valuable in natural resource management and in rare or endangered species conservations. ... Read more

Product Description
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. New edition of a text for researchers on principles of gene regulation and phage lambda. Two chapters of new edition apply these principles to higher organisms. Illustrations redone for this edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ahhh, enlightenment.
This book is a must for molecular biology courses- undergrad and grad alike.It is a beautiful in-depth examination of a model to give us an appreciation for molecular biology at a comfortably sophisticated level.This effective practice of learning generality from particular models is one that, sadly, many professors have gotten away from in our current world of 1200 page textbooks.Ptashne writes with brilliant simplicity without sacrificing nature's complexity. ... Read more

Product Description
This outstanding history examines the eugenics movement from its origin to its heyday as the source of a science of human genetics. Eugenics, Human Genetics and Human Failings makes a major contribution to the study of the British eugenics movement and its applications to current scientific work.

Previous treatments have been flawed in not viewing eugenics as a science whose methods required serious consideration. By avoiding this narrow approach, Pauline Mazumdar provides a scholarly and provocative analysis, utilizing important archival material newly available to researchers. The conclusions she draws from this material give the reader important insight into the inner workings of the British eugenics that published sources alone could not provide. The study also provides a historical introduction to the current problems connected with the huge international projects for the mapping of the human genome. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Flawed World of Genetic Security
Genetic determinism for enhancement as well as genetic determinism to remove weakness and predispositions of potential illness suffers from the idealism and greed that accompanies all recipe designers, the desire for perfection, that can never be good enough. Allowing this addictive concept to take hold can so alter the mechanics of nature that life may not be held with the sacredness that we now attach to it. The cloning that is continuously and constantly searching for the ideal is much like choosing contestants for a Miss America or a Miss Universe pageant, but applied to the choice of babies and their characteristics. Which combination could possibly be good enough? And with only 30,000 genes to choose from, wouldn't the likelihood produce idealized genetic copies or twins in short order if people were given the option to choose? The world would find it very difficult to refrain from making the "ultimate choice" if given the opportunity, and at the point where we literally compose children rather than relying upon the chance genetics that humans are currently stuck with, we may have moved beyond the world of the living into the world of fantasy where all participants become the stars of their own manufactured screen play, literally. Genetic security is approaching a time when this will be possible, and is likely to occur, allowing life to lose much of the mystery and uncertainty which makes it fascinating, and perhaps reducing it to a level of boredom with life that few will enjoy. Not only is it a moral issue; it may become a practical issue. Fixing the problems of disease in-utero is far different from designing in-utero but involves the same process, and is, therefore, highly probable to occur without stringent controls to prevent it, world wide. ... Read more

Product Description
Many professionals in the communicative sciences are relative newcomers to the understanding of genetics as it applies to communicative disorders. A speech-language clinician certainly can diagnose and treat stuttering, for example, but that clinician may not be fully aware of the role of a genetic counselor for the family of a stutterer. An audiologist may be able to assess a hearing impairment, but an understanding of the underlying genetics of that impairment would make that person a better audiologist. The medical geneticist, similarly, could have an inadequate appreciation of how our genes may affect language function. All of these professionals need a source that brings together essential ideas from related disciplines.
This is a book about human communication, both normal and disordered, and how our communication abilities are affected by our genes. Many, probably most, communicative disorders are of genetic origin, even if not exclusively genetic. A knowledge of genetics, therefore, is essential to our understanding of communication, of communicative disorders, of how such disorders come about, and of how to deal with them.
This is the only book to consider the genetics of communicative disorders from a broad perspective. It examines genetics, embryology, and epidemiology, along with study of the hearing, speech, and language disorders themselves. It also introduces review of issues relevant to genetic counseling and ethics. It is a unique and comprehensive work whose contributors are the leading experts in their respective disciplines.

* Only book available to consider all communicative disorders
* Unparalleled scrutiny of the sciences basic to the genetics of communicative disorders
* Specific attention paid to clinical and ethical issues ... Read more

Product Description
For one- or two-term courses in Genetics in the departments of Biology, Zoology, Agriculture or Health Science.This text is known for its clear writing style, emphasis on concepts, visual art program and thoughtful coverage of all areas of genetics. The authors capture students' interest with up-to-date coverage of cutting edge topics and research. This text will help students connect the science of genetics to the issues of today through interesting and thought-provoking applications. The sixth edition boasts the next generation of media integration including Gen CD-X (student CD-ROM and Companion Website). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Great Buy!!! Just Like New!!
This was a great buy!! For the price, i expected some book with the pages all ripped and barely being held together, but boy was i surprised when i saw that it was just like new. It even still had the new book smell when i opened it.

I would definitely buy from this seller again!!

ripoff
This item seemed overpriced for an early edition anyway, and on top of that, the book purchased did not arrive in any manner similar to that which it was advertised. Shipping took forever, and pages are missing.

Awazing
Great help to those who want to go into genetics or just want to learn a few new facts. Lots of diagrams and pictures to go along with the information for better understanding. Also the book does a great job on explaining most of the topics, a few i think are just difficult to grasp.

Very happy
I was very happy with my product.The book was in excellent condition and it was all way cheaper than what I would have paid at the bookstore, even AFTER waiting till the last minute and having to pay extra for next day delivery.I will definately use Amazon more frequently for my test books.

Excellent Intro and More
This is extremely well written introducton for undergraduates. I am using it as the backup since my instructor assigned Harwell et al's book, which is not nearly as well written. This book has excellent graphics, the whole book is well organized and well written. ... Read more

Product Description

With the continuing advances in sequencing technologies and the availability of thousands of distinct human genomes, we are fast approaching the day when "personal genomes" become a standard study measure and a routine component of personal health records. In Genetic Variation: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers address the rising importance of genome variation, both at the level of the individual and in population-based studies of disease, with a collection of detailed protocols reflecting the nature and impact of genetic variation on human phenotypes. The contributions cover a majority of the most important forms of genetic variation studied today, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletion (indels), copy number variation (CNVs), variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs), mitochondrial variation, mobile elements, and epigenetic variation. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Convenient and cutting-edge, Genetic Variation: Methods and Protocols aims to bring bench scientists, clinicians, and bioinformaticians together in order to aid progress toward a greater understanding of the full impact of variation on human health and disease.

Product Description
A laboratory manual and computer program that work together to teach the principles of genetics. Examples, interactive computer models, problems and self-tests aim to help students understand difficult concepts and learn the mathematical skills needed to study contemporary theories of genetics. ... Read more

Product Description
International concern over the threat to species and ecosystems caused by human activities is at an all time high, which may result in high costs to present and future generations. The economic costs and benefits associated with the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of actual or potential value for food and agriculture is largely unknown. Economic instruments that can encourage implementation of socially optimal genetic resource conservation strategies as well as the sharing of the real benefits and costs are a useful measurement tool. This book is an edited compilation of papers from the Symposium on the Economics of Valuation and Conservation of Genetic Resources for Agriculture held in Rome in May 1996. It addresses some of the key issues involved in the estimation of the economic value of conserving genetic resources for agriculture. It covers the modelling of the value of Plant Genetic Resources (PGRs), empirical studies of PGRs (including field diversity and yield vulnerability), seven empirical studies of PGR breeding values, property rights in PGRs and the implications of modern biotechnology methods for PGR values. The book will be essential reading for workers in agricultural economics, plant breeding and genetics, and biodiversity and conservation. ... Read more