The Thread of Life: The Story of Genes and Genetic Engineering (Canto) (Paperback)

by Susan Aldridge (Author) "Take a large onion and chop finely..." (more)
Key Phrases: chymosin gene, targeted gene replacement, biological detergents, Central Dogma, Flavr Savr, Nobel Prize (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'A well-paced, elegant and imaginative ride through the story of genes and genetic engineering.' Focus

'Susan Aldridge has written a fine book. It can be confidently recommended both to students and scientists in other fields, and to general readers ...'. Science Spectra

'Susan Aldridge's volume is one of the best ... an extremely clear writer, and refreshingly free of the bombast that often marks books in this field ... her knowledge and skill make her an excellent guide.' Jon Turney, The Times Higher Educational Supplement

'This is an informative and entertaining book which explains simply but without trivializing and is of interest both to specialist and layman ... a comprehensive, up-to-date and, above all, highly enjoyable account of a fascinating area of science.' C. F. Taylor, Annals of Human Biology

'... a dependable insight into the applications and implications of molecular genetics'. Bernard Dixon, New Scientist

'Everything you could want to know about the science of DNA.' Focus

'This book should provide anyone with a little prior knowledge of genetic engineering with a good insight in to this field.' E. Green, Endeavour

Product Description
In this fascinating book, Susan Aldridge gives an accessible guide to the world of DNA and also explores the applications of genetic engineering in biotechnology. She takes the reader, step by step, through the fascinating study of molecular biology, examining DNA and its function within living organisms as well as aspects of genetic engineering and its applications to humans. Aldridge also looks at the wider world of biotechnology and how genetic engineering can be applied to such problems as producing vegetarian cheese or cleaning up the environment.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (March 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521625092
• ISBN-13: 978-0521625098
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,530,209 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A nice tour of the fundamentals, January 18, 2000

By	John Rachlin (Vermont) - See all my reviews

I learned a great deal from this book and enjoyed reading it. However I sometimes felt like the "tour" was moving too fast...great breadth but (perhaps unavoidably) not much depth. Additional figures and diagrams would have been helpful. I was surprised that there was no mention of the increasingly important role of computer science / bioinformatics. Still, if you are looking for a primer on the fundamental scientific methods, and an objective presentation of the key issues, this is a good place to start. A great many scientific ideas packed into a small volume.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, July 22, 1998

By	[e-mail] "gkrishna" (Menlo Park, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Thread of Life: The Story of Genes and Genetic Engineering (Canto Book) (Hardcover)

A pretty nice introduction to genes, sequencing, genetic engineering, and related topics. Ms. Aldridge is mostly very clear, interesting, and impartial. She manages to include a little bit about a lot of the relevant and topical issues.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 15, 1997

By	[e-mail] (Monterey, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Thread of Life: The Story of Genes and Genetic Engineering (Canto Book) (Hardcover)

This book gives the most clear and concise description of the workings of DNA and basic life biochemistry that I have read. It has been successful in clearing up many of the most difficult aspects of this subject matter for me. Ms Aldridge is a very effective writer and educator for this complex subject matter.