Transducing the genome : information, anarchy, and revolution in the biomedical sciences /

Transducing the Genome is a captivating overview of genomics. Geneticist Zweiger provides a clearly written and interesting account of the Human Genome Project, major players at the center of genome research, the origin of the genomics industry, the role of leading genomics companies, and future prospects of the Genome Project. Throughout, goals and outcomes of the Human Genome Project are discussed in an easy-to-follow context. Zweiger begins with a basic overview of the importance of disease-causing genes, genetic information, and gene identification strategies. The identification of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and the controversy surrounding the patenting of ESTs are well described. Chapter 17 provides a recap of the events leading to the June 2000 announcement that public and private efforts to provide a "rough draft" of the genome were nearly complete, while the last chapter presents possible future outcomes of genome research. An appendix serves as a thought-provoking section on the pros and cons of patenting genetic information. This enjoyable and compelling story on genomics is hard to put down. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals; two-year technical program students. M. A. Palladino Monmouth University