The Book of Genes and Genomes

Description

The Book of Genes & Genomes  presents a concise overview of the advances in genetics and genomics and provide the unfamiliar reader with a succinct description of many of the applications and implications of this field. Given the substantial investment in genetics and genomics over the past several decades and the many recent discoveries and developments, this book will help the reader begin to understand the importance of genetics and genomics to us all. This exciting new title includes information on how genetics and genomics has advanced our understanding of health and medicine, evolution, and biology, as well as how they are pushing the boundaries of ethics and social values. Assumes no prior knowledge on the part of the reader;Easy to understand writing style, enabling novices to read and speak the "language" of genes and genomes;Inclusion of case-studies that depict how genes and genomics have advanced understanding of health, medicine, evolution and biology, but juxtaposed to ethics and social values;Recommended reading offered to facilitate self study;Clear, up to date and affordable. Preface Contents 1: From Genes to Genomes in All Living Things The 1800s The 1900s Can We Actually “See” DNA? What Have We Learned from Sequencing the Human Genome? Why Sequence the Genomes of Other Species? Genes and Disease Beyond the Sequence Conclusion Resources 2: My Family’s Health History (and Why It Is Important for Me to Know) What Is Family (Health) History? Collecting a Family History Showing a Family History: What Is a Pedigree? Interpreting a Family History Digital Family History What If You Do Not Know Much About Your Family Health History? Why Is Marrying Family Members of Concern? Taking a Step Back: From Families to Whole Populations Conclusion References 3: A Savior Sibling Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Savior Siblings Other Controversial Uses of PGD Ethical Issues Conclusion Resources 4: Too Few, Too Many Health Effects of Extra/Missing Chromosomes How Do Chromosomal Abnormalities Arise? Down Syndrome Normal But with Missing or Extra DNA? Cancer Screening Tests for Chromosomal Abnormalities in Pregnancy Diagnosis of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Pregnancy Resources 5: You Have Probably Already Had a Genetic Test (But No One Told You): Newborn Screening Beginning of Newborn Screening: The First Disease Screened Phenylketonuria (PKU) State by State How Do States Decide Which Diseases to Screen? Do Parents Have a Choice? Moving Beyond Screening for Treatable Diseases Conclusion Resources 6: Sweet Blood What Is Diabetes? Treatment of Diabetes Genetics of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes Would You Change Your Behavior If You Knew You Were at Risk for Diabetes? Resources 7: Will This Drug Work for You? Short History of Genetics and Drug Response Understanding the Genetic Mechanisms Behind Drug Response Should You Be Tested the Next Time You Take a Drug? Resources 8: No Two Cancers the Same Tools to Classify Cancer Tumor Sequencing Microarrays Inherited Cancers Cancer Diagnoses, Cancer Sub-types, and Treatment Targeted and Tailored Treatments From Biopsy to Blood-Based Cancer Screening Tests (Risk Assessment) Conclusion References 9: Correcting Genes How Does Gene Therapy Work? The First Successful Trial of Gene Therapy Side Effects of Gene Therapy Gene Editing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy Ethical Considerations of Gene Therapy and Gene Editing Conclusion Resources 10: Hunting the Invisible Bugs A Quick History of Pathogens Microbial Genomics Tracking an Infectious Disease Outbreak Laboratory Testing Legionnaires’ Disease Recent Infectious Diseases SARS E. coli Outbreak (Spinach) MRSA Anthrax SARS-CoV-2 Microbiome Prevention of Infectious Disease Conclusion Resources 11: Can Genes Explain Behavior? What Is a Behavioral Trait? Determining If a Behavioral Trait Is Genetic or Not Scientific Challenges of Studying the Genetics of Behavior Examples of Genes and Behavior Schizophrenia Intelligence Aggression Sort of in Our Genes, But Not Exactly Risks and Benefits of Defining Genes Associated with Behaviors Conclusion Resources 12: I Will Have the Genetically Modified Foods, Please What Is GM? How Many GM Crops Are There? Examples of GM Crops and Livestock Enhanced Taste, Appearance, and Size Flavr Savr Tomato AquAdvantage Salmon GalSafe Pigs Insect Resistance Bt Corn Herbicide Tolerance Enriched and Drug-Producing Plants Golden Rice Reduced Nicotine Tobacco Vaccines Genetically Modified Enzymes for Food Production Regulatory Oversight of GM Foods Product Labeling Public Opinion and Debate over GM Foods Environmental Concerns Health Concerns Ethical Concerns Conclusion Resources 13: Cleaning Up the Environment Applications Pest Control Bioremediation and Biodegradation Bacteria Plants Biosensors Concerns Conclusion Resources 14: Genetics and the Crime Scene: Just Like TV? Identification Testing Before DNA Rise of DNA Testing The First DNA-Based Criminal Investigation The Growth of DNA-Based Forensics Forensic DNA Databases DNA Genealogical Databases and Criminal Investigations Humanitarian Applications Other Applications of DNA-Based Forensics Conclusion Resources 15: Are Humans Related to Cavemen? Some Ancient History How Long Can DNA Last? Genetic Analysis of Ancient DNA Neanderthals Caveman’s Health Egyptian Mummies Implications for Evolution Conclusion References 16: (Re-)Creating New Life It All Starts with DNA Synthesis Re-creation of Deadly Microorganisms Minimal Genome Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 1—Obtaining DNA Sequences Ancient DNA: Dinosaurs Woolly Mammoths and Other Recently Extinct Species Quagga Marsupial Wolf Woolly Mammoths Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 2—Genome Synthesis Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 3—Development Vaccine Development Ethical Issues of Synthetic Genomics Conclusion References 17: Home-based Genetic Testing: A Brave New World Clinical Genetic Testing New Genetic Discoveries Advances in Testing Technologies Bringing Genetic Testing Directly to the Public: No Doctor Required Recreational and Ancestry Testing Government Oversight of DTC Companies Risks and Benefits Conclusion References Index