Welcome to Biotech Nation: My Unexpected Odyssey into the Land of Small Molecules, Lean Genes, and Big Ideas [Hardcover]

Moira A. Gunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 2007

As host of public radio's "Tech Nation", Dr. Moira Gunn has long been known for making all aspects of science and technology meaningful to the general listening public. But when she spontaneously decided at a cocktail-fueled biotech industry event that she would be launching a weekly segment on biotech - a subject that existed well outside of her normal comfort zone - she had her work cut out for her. For the millions of people who now listen to "BioTech Nation", the rest is history. Going behind the science and business of biotech, the book rides along with Dr. Gunn as she interviews an interesting and colorful cast of characters from the industry, including a DNA scientist with ego to burn and a pharmaceutical exec with a penchant for Viagra. Filled with compelling stories of everything from the genetically modified food fight to the reasons why the presidential stem lines are dying, the book explores the fascinating theories and breakthroughs in this exciting field. Funny, entertaining, and informative, "Welcome to BioTech Nation" is a unique, inside look at biotechnology today...and a glimpse at what could be in store for us tomorrow.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“...A great place to get some grounding in GM (genetically modified ) foods, stem cells, biofuels, new cancer research, and... biotech.”

-Strategic Finance magazine

"...makes the complex science understandable for just about anybody."

-BioWorld Today

“The great thing about Gunn's approach to biotech is that she understands not only the science but the politics and economics as well...The book is a great place to get some grounding in GM (genetically modified) foods, stem cells, biofuels, new cancer research, and many other areas of biotech...If you're thinking of shifting some of your digital tech investments over to biotech, following the commonsense advice: Before you invest, read the prospectus. And before you read the prospectus, do some reading in the field. Moira Gunn's book is a very good place to start.”

-Strategic Finance Magazine

“Recommended for all science and technology collections.”

-Library Journal

"For readers with no background in biotechnology, or those who deal in it every day this book will appeal to all because of the practical language used throughout and Dr. Gunn's captivating sense of humor...I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in biotechnology and the stories behind some of it's most innovative offerings and controversial issues." -- About.com Biotech / Biomedical

"I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in biotechnology...and the stories behind…it's most innovative offerings." -- About.com Biotech / Biomedical

Book Description

Library Journal's Best Business Books for 2007

As host of public radio’s Tech Nation, Dr. Moira Gunn has long been known for making all aspects of science and technology meaningful to the general listening public. But when she spontaneously decided at a cocktail-fueled biotech industry event that she would be launching a weekly segment on biotech -- a subject that existed well outside of her normal comfort zone -- she had her work cut out for her. For the millions of people who now listen to BioTech Nation, the rest is history.

Going behind the science and business of biotech, the book rides along with Dr. Gunn as she interviews an interesting and colorful cast of characters from the industry, including a DNA scientist with ego to burn and a pharmaceutical exec with a penchant for Viagra. Filled with compelling stories of everything from the genetically modified food fight to the reasons why the presidential stem lines are dying, the book explores the fascinating theories and breakthroughs in this exciting field.

Funny, entertaining, and informative, Welcome to BioTech Nation is a unique, inside look at biotechnology today...and a glimpse at what could be in store for us tomorrow.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1 edition (June 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814409237
• ISBN-13: 978-0814409237
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not about Biotech, August 19, 2010

By 

DJL - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Welcome to Biotech Nation: My Unexpected Odyssey into the Land of Small Molecules, Lean Genes, and Big Ideas (Hardcover)

The author seems not to trust that her subject matter is interesting or that her readers can handle, even want, a certain amount of scientific or business detail. She spends pages and pages talking about her (not very interesting) experiences (attending conferences, interviewing people) but doesn't spend much time on the purported subject. When she does cover a scientific or business topic, she rarely weaves together a variety of sources, as journalists and authors typically do. Instead, she interviews one person (not two) who is supposed to be an expert on a given subject and prints, more or less, a transcript of the interview. Just when you start thinking that you're learning something, the chapter is over. She has a chatty voice which I didn't love but which others find find engaging. I think her formula might work wonderfully on the radio, but in book form it just didn't work, at least for me.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 1/2 Informational 1/2 biographical and political, May 6, 2009

By 

F. White (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Welcome to Biotech Nation: My Unexpected Odyssey into the Land of Small Molecules, Lean Genes, and Big Ideas (Kindle Edition)

Excellent information that is largely unknown in the general public but should be. Genetic engineering already affects most of the food you eat, the medical care you get, the future of commodities markets and the future of third world nations. The book was a little bit too lengthy regarding the author's personal experiences, interpersed throughout the chapters, so I skipped over some of the stories that seemed pointless or uninteresting. At times, another weakness was a lack of references or only citing one reference to "establish a fact". The author also makes some 'political' statements; some I agreed with, others I did not. For the well educated reader, the book has some ESSENTIAL content to understand what's happening with biotech but not all of it is well footnoted and defended. But that's probably because Gunn was aiming for the layman.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tech Talk and Humor Together, June 30, 2007

By 

SF Reader (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcome to Biotech Nation: My Unexpected Odyssey into the Land of Small Molecules, Lean Genes, and Big Ideas (Hardcover)

Knowing very little about biotechnology, I found this book very informative. I could not put it down once I started reading. It is a great primer for those interested in this field, but too intimated by it as well. And it does it with lots of humor. I highly recommend it.