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Inspirationa biotechnology Improving Nature? The Science and Ethics of Genetic Engineering

by M. J. Reiss and R. Straqhan, Cambridge University Press, 1996.

UKLl6.95 hbk (288 pages) ISBN 0 521 45441 7

It might be supposed that a book verging on 300 pages of text on the molecular basis of, and ethical controversies surrounding, genetic engineering would be fairly heavy going. Indeed, this preconception is fuelled by the fact that the book in question is adorned with a very dull and unappealing cover. A quick flick through reveals only a handful of black and white line drawings, which similarly fail to capture the imagination. However, make the effort to get into the text and you are very soon rewarded by some of the most compelling literature on this topic that I have ever read. Indeed, I make no apology at all for using the kind of descriptions normally associated with book reviews in the popular press - I really ‘couldn’t put it down’, and 1 really did find it ‘quite inspirational’.

Before I wax lyrical about the merits of this work, I should get my one reservation out of the way. The

introduction claims that the book is written in such a way as to be accessible to the non-biologist. I have to say that this is obviously stated from a biologist’s perspective; whilst the bulk of the text would, I am sure, be comprehensible to a non-biologist, as the authors have made admirable efforts to keep jargon and technical temrs to a minimum, I remain wholly unconvinced that the introductory section (which covers the basics of genetic engineering) would be fully understandable to a person lacking any formal training in biology. I have personal experience of having to convey biological concepts to non-biologists and am convinced that the material needed to be ‘shifted down’ in its pitch to reach a broader audience. However, as far as the readership of this journal is concerned, the ethical aspects covered by the book will be of more interest and this coverage takes up the bulk of the text. 1 can

Genomics for all? Nonmammalian Genomic Analysis

edited by B. Birren and E. Lui, Academic Press, 1996. US$39.95 (353 p<yes)

ISBN 0 12 101285 9

Nomnammaliarz Gettomic Analysis presents a collection of protocols dealing mainly with physical mapping (long-range restriction mapping and assembly of arrays of overlapping clones, or ‘contigs’) of smaller genomes. Such mapping work is crucial for the development of an understanding of genome organization and facilitates map- based gene cloning. If you want to work with genomes of 100 Mb or larger, don’t expect to find too

much to interest you here! There are no chapters dealing specifically with Caenorhabditis elegans or Arabidopsis thaliana, the genomes of which are presently the subjects of intensive investigation. Nor is there much discussion of the techniques that are so valuable for their mapping, such as contig assembly by fingerprinting and chromosome walking in yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries. That said, the simple, clear presentation

vouch that the ethics discussions are truly accessible to the non-ethicist, with the jargon of this discipline being fully explained and presented in clearly comprehensible language.

Issues are considered in sections relating to the ethical concerns associated with genetic modification of microorganisms, plants, animals and finally humans. In each section, case studies are presented and the ethical dilemmas associated with each are discussed in an informative, enlightening and yet non-directive manner, with a frequent touch of humour and an equally liberal dose of common sense and humanity.

I was so impressed by the breadth of coverage of the topic and the sensitivity and thoughtfulness with which the ethical issues were considered that I shall lllake this text essential reading for this university’s biotechnology degree students, and will recommend the purchase of several copies for the library. I wholeheartedly endorse the book for anyone involved in, studying or just interested in genetic engineering. It is educational, informative and stimulating, but above all it is a very good read.

Karen Sullivan School of Molecular and Life Sciences,

University of Abertay Dundee,

40 Bell Street, Dundee, UK DDl 1HG.

of background material, experimental design principles and protocols for the analysis of smaller genomes should make this a popular work.

The book begins with an introduction of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, including the basic principles of sample preparation and handling. A well-written chapter extends this theme with a description of electrophoretic karyotyping of fungi, including an extensive list of references to work involving various species. This is followed by a short chapter dealing with the isolation of high molecular weight plant DNA born protoplasts. [No reference is made to the preparation of DNA from embedded nuclei, e.g. Zhang er al. (19%) Plant-/. 7, 175184, which is probably more suitable for most applications.]

TIBTECH MAY 1997 (VOL 15)