The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decoding Your Genes (Paperback)

by Linda; Bloom, Mark V. Tagliaferro (Author) "Did you ever wonder why you look like a human and not a hamster?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Cell Mate, United States, Human Genome Project (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1 edition (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028635868
• ISBN-13: 978-0028635866
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #778,184 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A simple guide to the complex field of genes., June 14, 2000

By	Robert L. Pickett (Long Beach, MS United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An enjoyable read. Great at explaining the very involved world of genetics. You'll come away amazed by what you've learned about what really goes on in your cells, what problems arise when genes go wrong, and how it all fits together to make us possible.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended - an instructional and enjoyable read, February 11, 2005

By	Daphne S. (Richmond, CA) - See all my reviews

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick reference for anything that has to do with genetic engineering or cloning in any way, shape or form. I have no background in biology, but I found this Complete Idiot's Guide extremely easy to follow, and fun to read as well. There are numerous boxes in each chapter that explain the derivation of some of the scientific names. I found this made it easier for me to remember what each word meant. I also enjoyed the (sometimes groan-inducing) puns and humor. I didn't think there was anything funny about genes, but there are some humorous titles to each chapter, and some jokes that make it easier to remember how these genetic processes take place. It takes some of the intimidation out of reading about a very cerebral subject.

There are also boxes in each chapter with fascinating stories related to genetic technolgies. For instance, a detective followed a man highly suspected of a crime. The man was on a motorcycle, and when he stopped for a red light, he spit in the street. The detective collected this and when a DNA test was run, the suspect's DNA proved to be the same as that collected at the scene of a crime.

I found that I learned a tremendous amount about basic genetics from the introductory chapters. This made it easier for me to go on to the chapters about how DNA was discovered, and how DNA is cut and then pasted into diverging life forms to create novel plants and animals. There are illustrations that clearly show how, for example, Dolly the sheep was cloned, and how bacteria with novel genes are put into plants, giving them new characteristics to make them impervious to disease or to give them other desired traits.

I especially enjoyed reading the numerous chapters on the ethical questions that have been brought up because of current advances in genetic engineering and cloning. The book gives a wealth of pro and con arguments that gave me much food for thought. I now feel that I can intelligently discuss in depth the reasons for and against going forth with these technologies, and the book
encourages readers to have an active voice in the debates.

It's not the kind of book you sit down and read in one sitting, but if you have any questions about the current advances in genetics, you can go to the index and look that particular subject. You can jump right into the pertinent chapter, and you'll find your answer. Each chapter ends with a quick review of
what you've learned, so it reinforces the new concepts in an easy way.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Off the mark, October 25, 2006

By	half "half" (Diamond Bar, CA United States) - See all my reviews

The author does not have a strong enough grasp upon the subject to write this book. Among the book's worst shortcomings are its endless repetitions of the same basic facts (without rewarding the reader by expanding those facts in later chapters), and its frustrating off-topic meanderings into historical anecdotes and discussion of TV shows, none of which add to the knowledge that I sought; I suppose these were meant to serve as some sort of mnemonic device, but they only hindered my progress.

In the end, after I forced myself to read almost every page of this book, I felt that I learned nothing more than I had gleaned from the first couple of chapters. How are different genes identified? How do they sit relative to each other? How does the DNA actually work with the RNA to generate different protiens? Maybe a picture or five could have helped? Maybe a word or two about current research efforts? Why did I have to read the same basic things 18 or 20 times? In every chapter?

Thankfully, I managed to find a far, FAR, FAR better alternative introduction to genetics. It is Genetics for Dummies, by Tara Rodden Robinson. She is a thoughtful author who really knows the topic inside out. Even more pleasing was when I found out afterwards that she is a working scientist and an award-winning teacher of genetics. I wish I had found her book first.