With humor, depth, and philosophical and historical insight, DNA
reaches out to a wide range of readers with its graphic portrayal of a
complicated science. Suitable for use in and out of the classroom, this
volume covers DNA's many marvels, from its original discovery in 1869 to
early-twentieth-century debates on the mechanisms of inheritance and the
deeper nature of life's evolution and variety.
Even readers who lack a background in science and philosophy will learn
a tremendous amount from this engaging narrative. The book elucidates
DNA's relationship to health and the cause and cure of disease. It also
covers the creation of new life forms, nanomachines, and perspectives on
crime detection, and considers the philosophical sources of classical
Darwinian theory and recent, radical changes in the understanding of
evolution itself. Already these developments have profoundly affected
our notions about living things. Borin Van Loon's humorous illustrations
recount the contributions of Gregor Mendel, Frederick Griffith, James
Watson, and Francis Crick, among other biologists, scientists, and
researchers, and vividly depict the modern controversies surrounding the
Human Genome Project and cloning.