Review by Choice Review
Providing the balance between a science book that can appeal to the general public while still providing useful information to the science "professional" is always a challenge. Lewis (medical education, Alden March Bioethics Institute) has succeeded in producing a useful source for each audience. The first half of the book, three chapters covering an overview of human ancestry, segues into a discussion of gene structure and function, and is presented in a manner easily understandable to anyone with any interest in genetics. The author describes the experiments carried out by Johann Gregor Mendel, the Bohemian monk considered the father of modern genetics, as well as their application in producing the first laws of genetics. The work of Charles Darwin, the other mid-19th-century figure central to understanding genetics and evolutionary change, is limited to a single sentence, with an error in the name of his seminal work. But this is the only shortcoming noted by this reviewer. The latter half of Lewis's book addresses the applications of the gene: effects on general health and future uses in genetic testing and gene technologies. The work includes questions requesting the reader's viewpoint on various issues and end-of-chapter suggested readings. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. R. Adler University of Michigan, Dearborn
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
