Author: Israel Rosenfield File Type: pdf 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 DNAs many marvels, from its original discovery in 1869 to early-twentieth-century debates on the mechanisms of inheritance and the deeper nature of lifes 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 DNAs 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 Loons 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.(21911)From BooklistA new title for this revamping of the pioneering science comic, DNA for Beginners (1983), is appropriate because so much productive research has occurred since the first edition, as the revisions peppering of post-1983 dates confirms. Yet the books coreillustrated technical explanations of DNA replication, gene expression, cloning and sequencing genes, cloning organisms, making tissue from stem cells, and other processesis probably little altered and distinguishes the book from its most obvious look-alike, The Stuff of Life (2009), by Mark Schultz, Kevin Cannon, and Zander Cannon. While Stuff is a genuine graphic novelwith plot, characters, through-drawn text, and allDNA was written first and then illustrated. Although he hardly eschews cartooning and caricature, including inspired parodies of great cartoonists (Daumier, Tenniel, Crumb, etc.), Van Loon functions far more as an ace creator of visual analogies of physical realities too small to be seen unaided or understood even when exponentially magnified. As for Rosenfield and Ziffs text, its at the collegiate introductory level, whereas Schultzs is superb for high-schoolers and the less technically literate rest of us. --Ray Olson ReviewFrom a brief history of genetics, to the role of genes in evolution to the development of biotechnology to the sex life of bacteria, all the ideas and players are here.--The Globe and Mail, February, 2011Praise for the Previous Edition Read it and enjoy it, and try to give it to your friends before they give it to you. NatureAll the main points are herethe discoveries, the competition among scientists, the great debate over where genetic engineering may lead us.... For anyone who knows something about of the subject, DNA is fun. For those whose ignorance is total, it offers a good first step toward literacy in the worlds most important language. New York Times Book ReviewThe book is novel, easy to read and combines excellent cartoons with good personal vignettes and history. I spent many years mastering genetics and yet learned new and valuable things from this book. Take a look, you will not be disappointed. (Robert Trivers, Rutgers University )A unique, richly detailed, and fun biography of DNA grounded in deep historical and philosophical knowledge--Rosenfield, Ziff and Van Loon give us everything we need to know about biologys most important molecule.(Oliver Sacks )Right now, you may not know the difference between a prokaryote and a eukaryote, but read this richly detailed work and that could be your next cocktail party opener.(Toronto Globe & Mail )A clear summary of the DNA story with a lighthearted approach.(CHOICE )