An A to Z of DNA Science: What Scientists Mean When They Talk About Genes and Genomes (A to Z...)

By Galen P. Perry, Jeffrey L. Witherly, Darryl L. Leja

Book Overview

Medical science constantly demands our attention, as patients or relatives, concerned citizens, voters, investors, or simply curious individuals. But for those without training, the language of science is often hard to follow. The A to Z of DNA Science book series defines and illustrates specialized terms in ways that non-specialists can appreciate and enjoy. This volume focuses on the language of genes, genomes, DNA, biotechnology, and heredity, defining, explaining, and illustrating over 200 terms used in books, broadcasting, websites, and newspaper and magazine articles.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879696001
• ISBN13: 9780879696009
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
• Length: 125 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

The Best Book For a Non-Scientist / WONDERFUL!

Five wonderful stars and the highest rating for making DNA science understandable for me.I am not a professional reviewer and not a scientist, and can only write about what this little book has meant to me.I wanted to say, especially in light of the last review, that this is the only resource like this anywhere I could find. It has clearly and wonderfully explained all these interconnected terms to me in a way that is really insightful, valuable and I think quite remarkable. I now can say "I get it."I carry this with me most of the time and use it to remind me or explain to me the fairly unique language that even television reporters (and especially writers in major magazines and newspapers) use to explain new DNA-based findings. I am surprised how technical these writers think we (the general public) are in this area. I use this book to decipher the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and even the CNN reports on genetics I am interested in. This book is a blessing in that respect. I can find the term, see what other related words might further help define it for me, and see a drawing to help even more.I don't think it was meant to do more than that, and it does that perfectly.So when a review calls it less than magical, I think that is probably from someone with a lot more science in their personal life than the general public might have. I think writers and scientists really misunderstand how little "we" know about this area and they use so much technical jargon every time they speak or write.I suspect that having a strong understanding of DNA might make a reader wonder why this book is important or needed. I just wanted to say that it is needed because most of us do not know a lot of this science, but we now find it in our daily lives and important and interesting.This is the tool we were waiting for. The overly complete and technical textbooks have been out there for years. If you want to learn more, go there.However, if you are just a regular person who wants to understand the vocabulary of this amazing science then this is perfect. I feel educated and empowered by this great little book.Three cheers for all involved and my highest recommendations.