Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Genetics 101. By Michael Windelspecht. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2007. 1 vol. 195 p. $49.95. ISBN 10: 0-313-3381-1; 13: 978-0-313-3381-5.

While the work of Gregor Mendel in the 19th century focused interest in genetics, implementation of genetics has been in practice (although it didn’t have a name) from ancient civilizations when farmers wanted better animals and plants. Genetics, the study of inheritance, is often put to use in a couple’s predicting the color of eyes their baby might have. Interest has also been increased with the constant reference to DNA in the various CSI adventures on television. The foreword has a list of abbreviations. Chapters include "Genetics as a Science," "DNA as the Hereditary Molecule," "Genetics at the Molecular Level," "Studying the Gene," "Changes in Genetic Material," "Manipulating the Gene and Genome," and "Applications of Genetics." Black and white drawings and figures illustrate the text. Appendixes include a 10-page glossary and a 5-page bibliography of print and Web resources. Because we find the study of DNA, gene, and genome in science classes, this is an excellent resource. It will also be useful in the debate about cloning, and it will help the reader to understand why a prediction about a baby’s eyes may not be accurate.