Part 1: Welcome to the Age of Genetics

Join the Genetic Revolution

You're in the middle of the genetic revolution. Here's how and why it's important to you.

Mendel: The Father of Genetics

Gregor Mendel, a nineteenth-century monk, started the scientific study of heredity by puttering around in his monastery's garden.

Mendel's Successors

After Mendel started the ball rolling, lots of scientists advanced our understanding of heredity.

Me, My Cell, and I

Learn about the mini-machinery inside your body.

Part 2: The ABCs of DNA

Nature's Blueprint

Watson and Crick discovered the secrets of DNA, and the Age of Genetics began.

Assembling Your Genes

Learn how DNA makes more of itself.

S, M, L, and XL Genes

Genes come in assorted sizes and styles.

Producing Proteins

Your cells have tiny factories that produce proteins for all your bodily needs.

Part 3: Faulty Blueprints: Mutations and Genetic Diseases

Irregular Genes

Sometimes a gene gets copied the wrong way, and the result is a gene with an irregular ``style''---a mutation.

The X in Sex

Gender is more complicated than it seems.

Gene Gangs

Sometimes delinquent genes get together and gang up on people.

Mutations and Evolution

Not all misprints in genes are bad for the human race.

Part 4: Manipulative Scientists: Genetic Engineering and Cloning

Cut-Down Genes

Scientists learned to splice together genes of different organisms.

Seedy Science: Engineering Plants

Learn how scientists can put genes from animals and other organisms into plants.

Down on the Pharm: Engineering Animals

Scientists can design new animals with genes from humans, plants, and other animals.

Send in the Clones

Learn all about clones: nature's photocopies.

Part 5: DNA Detectives

Stories Genes Can Tell

DNA testing can clear up mysteries of identity in the present and the past.

DNA's Day in Court

DNA can help solve crimes, even when there are no witnesses at the crime scene.

DNA Disease Diagnosis

DNA testing can help find faulty genes that may cause diseases.

Did Your DNA Make You Do It?

Is your destiny in your DNA?

Part 6: Mending Your Genes: Gene Therapy and New Medicines

The Human Genome Project

A vast project aims to make a map of all of our genes.

What Is Gene Therapy?

Learn how scientists are trying to fix faulty genes in people's bodies.

Molecular Medicine

Researchers are cutting and splicing genes to make new medicines.

Sex Techs: Reproductive Technologies

Researchers are trying to help childless couples through new techniques that use scientific knowledge of DNA.

Part 7: Playing God? Ethical Issues

Patents on Life

Learn about the debate over whether it should be possible to take out patents on living things.

Food for Thought: Are Biofoods Safe?

Learn why some people worry about genetically engineered foods.

Creature Concerns

Consider the pros and cons of genetically engineering animals.

People Problems

Will the Age of Genetics create privacy and discrimination problems for people?

Should We Clone Around?

If humans are cloned in the future, will it create a multitude of problems?

Appendices

A Resources

B Genetic Jargon

C Selected Bibliography

Index