Secrets of the Sequence

The study of genetics has taught us how plants and animals grow and reproduce, as well as explaining the passing down of hereditary conditions. In this book, Dr. Gordon Roberts unlocks the secrets of the sequence and reveals how far we are able to go in manipulating and engineering genes in both animals and humans. Inside you'll learn: - How to understand the basics of genetics and find out what genes can tell us about an organism - What it means to sequence a genome and how this information is being used to improve health in both people and their pets - How genes can now be edited, just like sentences in a word processing program, to create fluorescent fish, mini pigs and even cows that produce human breastmilk - The ways in which genetics is shaping healthcare through precision medicine and targetted gene therapy - All about cloning and what it takes to create a carbon copy of your best friend Also, how far should we take genetic engineering? We look at the ethics of creating enhanced humans and designer babies.