National Geographic Investigates: Genetics

by SIMPSON, KATHLEEN

• ISBN13: 9781426303616
• ISBN10: 1426303610
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-10-14
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books

Summary

Genetics is the study of the unique DNA code that identifies a specific individual, whether it be a human, a plant, an animal, or even a microbe. Researchers are focused on the DNA of roundworms, trying to learn the secret of long life. Other scientists know that sunflowers can draw up pollution through their roots. Could the DNA of other plants be programmed so that they have the same capability? Game wardens use DNA to track poachers, law enforcement uses it to identify criminals, and archaeologists use it to learn from ancient nummies. A fascinating field of science, genetics seems to offer us a world of possibilities for the future, but those same possibilities can sometimes create ethical dilemmas.

Author Biography

Kathleen Simpson lives in the hill country of central Texas with her husband and dogs. She has authored numerous works for young people, including the National Geographic Investigates books Extreme Weather: Science Tackles Global Warming and Climate Change, Genetics: From DNA to Designer Dogs, and The Human Brain: Inside Your Body’s Control Room.

Table of Contents

Message From the Consultant	p. 8
Mendel, the Father of Modern Genetics	p. 9
Timeline of Genetic Research	p. 10
Ancient DNA	p. 12
Royal genes
Pharaoh gone missing
Historic discoveries
A mysterious mummy is found
Family tree, written in DNA
Problems with ancient DNA
Genetic science reveals the future as well as the past
Genetic Science	p. 20
Green pollution fighters
Rabbit genes in trees
Slow cleanup in the most polluted places
A medium pizza with genetically modified canola oil
A problem or a solution?
Genes for Long Life	p. 26
Very old worms
Why is my hair brown?
Switching genes on and off
Inherited traits
Two points of view
Fighting for Wildlife	p. 32
Mysterious animal on the loose in Montana
Gathering gorilla DNA
Extracting DNA
New weapons
Meet a DNA investigator
Microbial DNA	p. 42
Why is microbial DNA important?
A map of microbial DNA
Scooping up life in the Sargasso Sea
The Human Genome Project
Microbial Genome Project	p. 42
Genetics and Cloning	p. 50
Ditteaux, the African wildcat
How does cloning work?
Cloning history
Problems of diversity
Why stop with African wildcats?
Growing a human heart
The Years Ahead	p. 58
Glossary	p. 59
Bibliography	p. 60
On the Web	p. 60
Further Reading	p. 60
Index	p. 61
About the Author and Consultant	p. 63
Credits	p. 64
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