Genetics
is the newest of all sciences. Nothing useful
was known about inheritance until just over
a century ago, and what Mendel learned then
was used to justify eugenics and racism. Now
genetics is exploding, and we have discovered
the complete sequence of the DNA letters of
the 60,000 working genes needed to make a
human being.
Introducing
Genetics takes us from Mendel to the human
gene map and the treatment of inborn disease.
It shows how DNA was discovered, and explains
how some genes may act in their own interests
as much as in the interests of those who carry
them. No one can afford to be ignorant of
genetics and, like it or not, many of us will
have to make moral decisions in which genetics
plays a part. This book gives us the information
needed to do so.
***
Steve
Jones is Professor of Genetics at University
College London. His hugely renowned popular
science books include Almost Like a Whale
and The Language of the Genes.
Borin
Van Loon is a Surrealist artist and illustrator
whose work ranges from oil paintings to a
cut-out book on DNA.
