DNA: The Secret of Life
Andrew Berry (Author), James D. Watson (Author)

List Price:   $39.95

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher: Knopf; (April 1, 2003)

ISBN: 0375415467

In-Print Editions: Audio CD (Abridged) | Audio Download (Audible.com) | All Editions

This excellent new book by Watson has been written for a popular audience and contains the scientific basis and the history of the discovery of the central dogma, recombinant DNA, and of the genomics revolution.  It’s typical Watson: opinionated, a bit brash, but well written.  The photographs are excellent and give it the feel of a coffee table book.  JdK

Biotechnology
J. G. Smith (Author)

List Price:   $23.00

Paperback: 138 pages

Publisher: Cambridge University Press; (October 3, 1991)

ISBN: 0521427843

This is a excellent introductory book for a popular audience.  It’s clearly written (at the college freshman level), provides good (and broad) background in the field, and it does cover process technologies.  We couldn’t find any substantial inaccuracies.  It has introductory chapters on intellectual property, safety, and bioethics.  It is probably not appropriate as a text because it does not cover the subjects in enough depth.  Also, it does have a British bias.  Give this to a student who is just beginning, or to a friend who asks you what you do . JdK

Molecular Biology Made Simple and Fun
David P. Clark, Lonnie D. Russell

List Price:   $34.95

Paperback: 486 pages

Publisher: Cache River Pr; 2nd edition (August 2000)

ISBN: 1889899046 | All Editions

This is a remarkable book that tackles advanced subjects with cartoons and humor.  Some high school teachers that I know have tried to use it, but they report that it is a bit advanced for this application.  It has humorous diagrams (cheerleaders with card-section signs saying, “give me an A..give me a T” for example), but the format is deceptive since the subject matter is advance; Jim refers to this book quite a bit in preparations of lectures.  At the end of the book, it has an amusing appendix that has a “typical seminar” with the techincal terms on one side and a running commentary that translates it into English in a neighboring column. JdK

Cartoon Guide to Genetics
Larry Gonick (Author)

List Price:   $16.95

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Perennial; Revised edition (August 1991)

ISBN: 0062730991 | All Editions

This is a fun book that can be read by someone not familiar with the field, although the science is superb.  Mark Wheelis teaches microbiology at UC Davis where he is considered one of the best teachers on campus.  Highly recommended.  JdK

Biotechnology: Demystifying the Concepts

David Bourgaize (Author), Thomas R. Jewell (Author), Rodolfo G. Buiser (Author)

List Price:   $89.00

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub Co; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)

ISBN: 0805346023

This is an interesting book that seems to be written for a freshman level student without any background in biology.  It teaches basic biology by using a biotech emphasis.  It covers mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian genetics, and central dogma, then gives the applications to biotechnology.  It does include a section on business issues in biotechnology and a very interesting section on eugenics.  This might be appropriate for a non-majors course in Introduction to Biotechnology that some colleges have included as sort of an orientation course and a recruiting device.  It probably doesn’t go into enough detail in the subjects to be used for a capstone course.  JdK

Biotechnology - Present Position and Future Developments

Martina Newell McGloughlin and James I. Burke

Teagasc Press - 2000

ISBN 1-84170-122-X

This book by UC Davis and the University of California systemwide Biotechnology program director Martina McGloughlin serves as an important source, especially for the application of biotechnology to agriculture.

Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters [ABRIDGED]

Matt Ridley

Hardcover: 344 pages

Publisher: HarperCollins; (February 2000)

ISBN: 0060194979

In-Print Editions: Paperback | All Editions

Read this book immediately.  This is a popular book written for a popular audience, but unless human genetics or genomics is your specialty, you will probably learn something in every chapter.  The writing style is straight forward and engaging, and should be accessible to anyone.  The author weaves a whole biology course into a discussion of chromosomes.  Jim likes to give this book as a gift. JdK

Abraham Lincoln's DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics
Philip R. Reilly

List Price:   $15.00

Paperback: 339 pages

Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; (March 2002)

ISBN: 0879696494

Keith Conover of Glendale College recommended this book.  It uses case studies and profiles of particular researchers to tell stories about fascinating case studies where genetics (and the new genetics) plays a role.  The author was a lawyer interested in genetics who then completed Medical School.  He served on the panel that developed the recommendation for the title case: “should some of the remains of Abraham Lincoln be used to determine whether this revered figure in American history had Marfan’s syndrome?”  (Their answer was ‘not yet, at least.”)   The book also examines the identification of the remains of the Romanovs, hemophilia in the Royal families of Europe, the genetics of Toulouse-Lautrec’s short stature and genius.  This book does not shy from controversy; it discusses the possible genetic components of mental illness, homosexuality, and violent behavior.  Later chapters cover issues in bioethics that include cloning, frozen embryos, the debate over GMOs, xenotransplantation, and privacy issues in genetic testing.  In each case the author gives specific case studies or discusses the efforts of the key researchers in the field.  Jim uses stories from this book to spice up lectures in Genetics.    JdK

Understanding Biotechnology
Aluizio Borem, Fabricio R. Santos, David E. Bowen

List Price:   $34.99

Paperback: 220 pages

Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR; 1st edition (January 17, 2003)

ISBN: 0131010115

This is a quirky book.  One interesting topic that sets it apart is its coverage of the intersection between biotechnology and religion.  JdK

Biotechnology: The Physiologic and Medical Application
Wendell Zehel

List Price:   $11.95

Paperback: 96 pages

Publisher: Sterling House Pub; 1 edition (June 1, 2000)

ISBN: 1563151316