Genes, chromosomes, and disease : from simple traits, to complex traits, to personalized medicine /

In the preface, Gillham (emer., biology, Duke Univ.) states the purpose and scope of this book: "to provide an awareness of the relationship between genes and disease, what can be done about these diseases, and the prospects for the future as we enter the era of personalized medicine." The first few chapters may be hard going for general readers who do not have some background in science, especially the science of genetics. However, the later chapters do not presuppose such background and are much easier to read, especially those titled "Genes and Cancer" and "Genes and IQ" as well as the material on what can be done to prevent and treat certain genetic ailments. The last chapter, on the prospects of "personalized medicine," is quite interesting. It touches on a number of ethical issues of importance. A glossary of terminology toward the end of the book is a helpful resource for understanding the early chapters. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students; general readers. C. L. Hansen formerly, Midland Lutheran College

This history of medical genetics with background on risk factors and disease and susceptibility genes is important for understanding complex polygenic diseases including cancer. Gillham (biology, emeritus, Duke Univ.) also tackles thorny issues of eugenics, IQ, and behavioral genetics. He covers current and emerging genetic testing, how genetic counseling was defined and has developed, and the rapidly expanding field of newborn genetic screening. In vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic diagnostics (PGD), gene therapy, and stem cell therapeutics are also considered. -VERDICT There are many less technical genetics books aimed at nonspecialists, but there are few, if any, simple answers to these complex questions. Gillham does a good job of explaining why we should care about history and specifics. Newly diagnosed patients, those in good health who worry, prospective parents, and parents of newly diagnosed newborns may well find these details and context just what they want. Recommended for collections with Stephen Jay Gould's The Mismeasure of Man, Kevin Davies's The $1,000 Genome, or related titles.-Mary Chitty, Cambridge Healthtech Lib., Needham, MA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.