Welcome to the Genome: A User's Guide to the Genetic Past, Present, and Future

Description

The popular introduction to the genomic revolution for non-scientists—the revised and updated new edition Welcome to the Genome is an accessible, up-to-date introduction to genomics—the interdisciplinary field of biology focused on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of an organism's complete set of DNA. Written for non-experts, this user-friendly book explains how genomes are sequenced and explores the discoveries and challenges of this revolutionary technology. Genomics is a mixture of many fields, including not only biology, engineering, computer science, and mathematics, but also social sciences and humanities. This unique guide addresses both the science of genomics and the ethical, moral, and social questions that rise from the technology. There have been many exciting developments in genomics since this book's first publication. Accordingly, the second edition of Welcome to the Genome offers substantial new and updated content to reflect recent major advances in genome-level sequencing and analysis, and demonstrates the vast increase in biological knowledge over the past decade. New sections cover next-generation technologies such as Illumina and PacBio sequencing, while expanded chapters discuss controversial ethical and philosophical issues raised by genomic technology, such as direct-to-consumer genetic testing. An essential resource for understanding the still-evolving genomic revolution, this book: Introduces non-scientists to basic molecular principles and illustrates how they are shaping the genomic revolution in medicine, biology, and conservation biology Explores a wide range of topics within the field such as genetic diversity, genome structure, genetic cloning, forensic genetics, and more Includes full-color illustrations and topical examples Presents material in an accessible, user-friendly style, requiring no expertise in genomics Discusses past discoveries, current research, and future possibilities in the field Sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History, Welcome to the Genome: A User's Guide to the Genetic Past, Present, and Future is a must-read book for anyone interested in the scientific foundation for understanding the development and evolutionary heritage of all life. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Foreward:Still, The Genomic Revolution Acknowledgments Introduction: Welcome Back to the Genome Chapter 1 From Mendel to Molecules In the Abbey Garden In the Fly Room Eugenics—“Prevailing Speedily Over the Less Suitable” “A Veritable ‘Avalanche’ of Nucleic-Acid Research” A Structural Milestone References Chapter 2 The Building Blocks of Gene Sequencing Research Milestone 1: Invention of DNA Sequencing Tools Research Milestone 2: Deciphering the Genetic Code Research Milestone 3: Synthesizing DNA Research Milestone 4: Seeing Genes Research Milestone 5: Copying DNA Research Milestone 6: Sequencing a Viral Genome Research Milestone 7: The Ultimate DNA Copying Tool References Chapter 3 Sequencing the Genome From Gene to Genome The Sequence Racing to the Finish References Chapter 4 The Next Generation Next Generation Sequencing Pyrosequencing Sequencing by Synthesis Real-time Sequencing How Many Genes Do Humans Really Have? References Chapter 5 Making the Genome Safe A Shameful Past Preparing for the Genome Genetic Discrimination Informed Consent and Return of Results in the Genomic Age What Can Researchers, Universities, and Companies Do with Your Genetic Material? The Ethics of DTC Genetic Testing Who Owns Your Genes? Monitoring Our Genomic Future Preparing the World for CRISPR The Business of Biology Nature/Nurture References Chapter 6 The Meanings of Genetic Diversity: Part I A Rogues’ Gallery of Completed Human Genomes Assessing Human Variation Using Genomes Next Generation Sequencing Using Targeted Capture Our Genomic Place in the World A Genomic Perspective on Our Closest Living Relative Our Closest Extinct Relatives A Revolution in Understanding the Movement of Our Species Across the Planet and Ancestry in Our Species References Chapter 7 The Meanings of Genetic Diversity: Part II The Human Genome Project and Human Genetic Diversity The Strange Career of Scientific Racism Undermining the Race Concept The Human Genome Project and the Future of Race Continued Missteps or a Path to the Future? References Chapter 8 The Tree of Life: 4 Billion Years of Divergence Inheriting a Controversy The Tree of Life Rearranging Life Prokaryotes don’t Exist! Protists aren’t a Real Group Either The Tree of Life is Dead; Long Live the Tree of Life Many Genomes have Evolved as a Result of “Cannibalism” Fungi are Closer to us than they are to Plants There are Many Surprises in Store for us when We Start Looking at Even More Closely Related Organisms Comparative Genomics Biodiversity and Genomics Wildlife Detectives DNA Barcoding References Chapter 9 Sequencing the Small and Infamous: A Look at Metagenomics and Microbiomes Whole-Genome Sequencing Helps Identify Dangerous Mutations More Than One Genome at a Time: Microbial Ecology, Metagenomics, and Microbiomes Omes Everywhere References Chapter 10 The World to Come: Agriculture GMOs: The Basics Recent Changes in Gene-Based Technology for Genetic Modification Synthetic Biology A Plate Full of GM Foods Bt Corn Roundup Ready Soy Golden Rice Case Studies in Controversy: GM, Science, and Speculation Trends in Economic Use of GM Foods Issues and Ethics: The Food Chain and Unintended Effects Labeling GM Foods Changing Attitudes Toward GM Food References Conclusion: Don’t Believe the Hype (Including Ours) References Index EULA