The Gene: A Historical Perspective

by Ted Everson

Overview

Genetics is one of the most powerful scientific fields today. It is transforming how we view medicine and public health, and is producing tremendous new discoveries in biotechnology. Advances in genetics also provoke extensive ethical debates over cloning, genetic counseling, stem cell research, and privacy. But to understand these debates, it's essential to understand where these ideas came from - the ideas of the past have had tremendous influence on not just the science of genetics, but on the political and ethical debates surrounding the field. This volume in the Greenwood Guides to Great Ideas in Science series provides an accessible and thorough description of the history of genetics, and includes relevant historical ideas from the Classical era to the present day.

The Gene: A Historical Perspective provides an overview of the field of genetics, with contemporary examples of its scientific, social and economic importance, and an emphasis on the historical development of the concept of the gene. The book includes a glossary of terms, a timeline of events, and a bibliography of accessible resources for students who wish to learn more about the gene.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313334498
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/30/2007
Series:	Greenwood Guides to Great Ideas in Science
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Ted Everson is the Program Manager for Biotechnology Studies in the Center for Contemporary History and Policy at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. He earned a PhD in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology from the University of Toronto, in which he explored historically the increasing use of genetic concepts and technologies in heathcare, an MS in Medical Genetics from the University of British Columbia, focusing on genetic and physical mapping of the human genome, and a BS in Biology from the University of British Columbia. In addition to several academic articles and presentations for various audiences, he is the author of Genetic Engineering: Methods, in Colin Hempstead and William Worthington, eds., Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Technology and Genetics and Molecular Biology, in Brian Baigre, ed., History of the Exact Sciences and Mathematics.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations     vii
Series Foreword     ix
Preface     xi
Introduction     xiii
Ancient and Medieval Inheritance     1
Renaissance and Enlightenment Views of Inheritance     15
Heredity in the Nineteenth Century     27
Gregor Mendel and the Concept of the Gene     43
The Gene and Unifying Biology     57
Molecular Biology and the Gene     73
The Switch to DNA     83
Manipulating DNA     95
The Human Genome Project     111
Genetics Today     133
The Gene and Ethical Issues     145
Timeline     155
Glossary     163
Bibliography     175
Index     183

Editorial Reviews

This work focuses on making scientific concepts in genetics accessible to students ranging from high school through university, along with the interested general public. Stating that the concept of the gene has a historical lineage, Everson traces this development from the ancient Greeks and medieval period through to current research. Along the way he discusses Gregor Mendel's contribution to genetics, the development of molecular biology, DNA, the Human Genome Project, and current ethical issues surrounding genetics. This work includes a time line, glossary, and bibliography on the important literature of the history of genetics. Illustrations are easy to understand and support the text. Everson has written a highly readable and interesting survey of the history of genetics. Recommended. Lower-/upper-level undergraduates and graduate students.” —Choice

“Everson's book, part of a series called Greenwood Guides to Great Ideas in Science, is about the gene as a concept—an evolving idea whose changing nature has had a most profound impact not only on life science, but on our society and economy….Everson does a masterful job….I recommend The Gene: A Historical Perspective highly to all those interested in genetics or the history of science.” —Science Books & Film

“Everson explores the historical development of scientific ideas associated with the gene. He describes the origins of genetics from ancient Greece onward, important scientific events, and those who contributed to scientific understanding, such as Darwin, Mendel, and August Weismann. Modern genetics during the twentieth century is the primary focus, with discussion of the contributions of Thomas Hunt Morgan and Watson and Crick, molecular biology, social issues and biology, the understanding of DNA, the Human Genome Project, modern debates, and ethical issues. The series aims to make concepts accessible to high school and college students and general readers.” —SciTech Book News

“The origins of genetics began with the study of life and then of biology. It was only when Gregor Mendel wrote about his breeding experiments that the word genetics was coined. Tracing this development begins with Ancient and Medieval Inheritance, Renaissance and Enlightenment Views of Inheritance, Heredity in the Nineteenth Century, Gregor Mendel and the Concept of the Gene, The Gene and Unifying Biology, Molecular Biology and the Gene, The Switch to DNA, Manipulating DNA, The Human Genome Project, Genetics Today and The Gene and Ethical Issues. The final chapter on the ethical issues involving the gene will be helpful for debate teams….Appendixes include an 8-page timeline, an 11-page glossary and an 8-page bibliography. The timeline will be especially helpful to students who are trying to place their research in focus with what went before and what came after. Your biology teachers will welcome this brief introduction to the Human Genome Project.” —GALE Reference for Students

“[T]horoughly researched, with an impressive timeline of major ideas about inheritance….[i]f your passion is the history of science I think you will find this book a useful and concise conjunction of normally fragmented information. I would recommend this book for a larger audience for two other reasons. First, Eversons account of how the modern synthesis between genetics and the theory of evolution developed is the best I have ever read. And for anyone struggling with anti-evolutionary forces in their school or community, heres some powerful ammunition. Second, his account of how the Human Genome Project was justified and paid for at the expense of more cost-effective preventative public health initiatives should be a must-read for anyone in a world of steadily diminishing resources. For that alone, I would have a copy of the book for my classroom.” —NSTA Recommends

From the Publisher