The Genomic revolution: unveiling the unity of life

Abstract

From the discoveries of Watson Crick to the appearance of Dolly the Sheep, the last fifty years have ushered in a revolution of knowledge in how organisms develop, function, replicate. Scientists are now engaged in an epic task that will catapult the revolution to new heights: the sequencing of the human genome. Consider the scope of such a discovery. How different are we one another? Does race have a scientific meaning? Is there such a thing as a disease gene? What are the potential risks of genetically modified food? Does a clone have a soul? The Human Genome Project will inevitably lead to landmark changes in medicine, agriculture, the study of evolutiona and will ultimately define the course of human history. The Genomic Revolution: Unveiling the Unity of Life takes readers on a fascinating journey through genomicsa from the basic presentation of ideas about heredity through the essential principles of molecular biology, including an exploration of the ethical implications of the genome project for individuals society. Some of the worlda (TM)s leading experts in genomicsa Harold Varmus, Leroy Hood, Daniel Kevles, Craig Venter, to name just a fewa contribute their assessments of the state of current scientific research. Written for anyone wondering why we are the way we are, The Genomic Revolution is a timely important collection that spans the science, the promise, the potential pitfalls of a field moving so quickly that its achievements may alternately delight trouble us, but almost always surprise us.