The Human Genome: A User's Guide [Paperback]

R. Scott SH Hawley (Author), Catherine A. Mori (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0123334608 | ISBN-13: 978-0123334602 | Publication Date: October 7, 1998 | Edition: 1st

The Human Genome: A User's Guide provides a concise discussion of contemporary and relevant topics in human genetics. It begins coverage of the fundamental concepts of genetics and heredity, then illustrates these concepts as they relate to the development of human sexual differentiation and sexuality. The book describes the role of the X and Y chromosomes, the role of hormone-controlled differential gene expression in sex determination, and the role of genetics in sexual orientation and sex-role development. The Human Genome discusses the interface between science and society, covering the basic intellectual processes that underlie genetic analysis and gene therapy. It also looks at the use of cloning techniques to search for genes responsible for such human disease states as cystic fibrosis, cancer, AIDS, and mental illness. Written in an inviting and engaging style, The Human Genome meets the interests and answers the questions of today's students.

Key Features:
* Offers a concise discussion of contemporary human genetics and relevant topics
* Accessible to the reader with no formal science background
* Reviews the fundamental principles that underlie genetic analysis, prenatal diagnosis, and gene therapy
* Makes use of the most up-to-date information on the genetic aspects of AIDS, sexual orientation, and gender research
* Includes a controversial discussion of gene therapy and the "old" and "new" eugenics
* Presents stories of real and fictional people, bringing the concepts of human inheritance "to life"
* Appropriate as supplemental or recommended reading for courses on human genetics and reproductive biology for majors as well as on genetics for non-majors or sexuality and human development for psychology students

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Using the theme of sexuality, the authors discuss basic genetics information and analytical techniques and the genetic basis of cancer, AIDS, and mental illness. A very complex subject is broken into understandable pieces and then put back together to form a complicated but comprehensible whole.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A very complex subject is broken into understandable pieces and then put back together to form a complicated but comprehensible whole."
--LIBRARY JOURNAL (November 1999)
"...an excellent guide to the advances made in human genetics and their relevance to daily life. It is both reasonably accessible to general audiences and unlikely to cause specialist readers to cringe. The engaging, informal style of this book is most apparent in its unusual use of asides, set off in italics... Far from being distracting, the asides are an unexpected bonus... [In the section on sex determination,] Hawley and Mori are willing to tackle controversial and sensitive issues (e.g., the genetics of sexual orientation). They approach these topics with accuracy, fairness, and compassion."
--TRENDS IN GENETICS (April 1999)
"The examples are excellent and the topics covered are just the ones you'd like to see....There is a real need for a text on this topic that goes beyond the very introductory concepts, but is not so advanced as to be unusable outside an advanced genetics course. This book clearly fits that need."
--ROBERT HOLMGREN, Northwestern University
"This textbook relates the WOW! aspects of human genetics.... It will be a valuable resource for teachers and students who want to, and need to, understand human genetics at a basic level so as to unravel new findings reported in the lay press on a daily basis."
--STEPHANIE SHERMAN, Emory University School of Medicine
"...a wonderful addition to the human genetics landscape."
--TERRY HASSOLD, Case Western Reserve University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 413 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1st edition (October 7, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0123334608
• ISBN-13: 978-0123334602
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,007,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Individual aspects of disorders covered, April 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Human Genome: A User's Guide (Paperback)

I had this text for a MCB 10 (genetics) course at UC Davis in California. I found the science part of it interesting and for the most part helpful. I think the authors really tried to keep the reader's interest, and make a subject that is not always thought of as fascinating a little more light and relevant. People may disagree about including anecdotes in a textbook, but I think the anecdotes, while they may have been out of place, made the book more readable for me. Also, I really admired the way the authors focused on the individual aspects of the disorders they mentioned. As a young woman with Turners Syndrome, I can say that it was very refreshing that for once we were not portrayed as genetic mutants, and that individual differences that occur in any disorder was pointed out. I think it's sad, looking down the reviews, that only the bad reviews were seen as helpful. I would hope that people will give this book a chance.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Reference!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Human Genome: A User's Guide (Paperback)

Science touches the lives of more people today than ever before, and The Human Genome: A User's Guide serves as a simplified but complete compendium of human genetics to be used by scientists and nonscientists alike. Subjects are explained clearly and conversationally but without the loss of the all-important details and facts, making this book a highly interesting read.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic new tool for teaching genetics!, August 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Human Genome: A User's Guide (Paperback)

Here at last is a textbook based on the principle that critical thinking, not memory work, is the key to developing a thorough understanding of and enthusiasm for the field of human genetics. This book is definitely "user friendly" -- it takes an irresistibly creative, personable and often humorous approach to its subject. The passion of the authors for their subject is obvious. Many cutting-edge and often controversial topics are covered, including the fledgling genetics of various aspects of human behavior. At the same time, the authors strongly encourage scientific responsibility and serious contemplation of the ethical issues involved in such research. This is a book about genetics that really matters, and it is sure to hold students' interest. I highly recommend this text to anyone teaching human genetics at the college level. It renders even the most challenging concepts accessible to all, and thus is suitable for both bio majors and non-majors (psych, etc.) alike. Students who use this text will never look at genetics -- or humanity -- in the same way again!