Welcome to Biotech Nation: My Unexpected Odyssey into the Land of Small Molecules, Lean Genes, and Big Ideas

by Moira A. Gunn

Welcome to BioTech Nation is a fast-paced account of Gunn's accidental plunge into the "biotech rabbit hole." Combining a first-person chronicle of the jittery beginnings of the weekly radio segment BioTech Nation with her trademark entertaining and penetrating reporting, Gunn uncovers the inner workings of a little-understood industry in the midst of explosive growth and with far-reaching impact. You'll learn about some of the exciting developments happening in biotech today - viruses that kill tumor cells, enzymes that produce cost-effective ethanol - along with behind-the-scenes portraits of the driven, arrogant, and visionary movers and shakers of this global industry.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

258 pages, Hardcover

First published June 13, 2007

Reviews

[David]

Gave up after about 25% thru..all I could gather is that author didn't know anything about biotech

[Tiger Y]

"Always make new mistakes"

[Laura de Leon]

This book wasn't what I was expecting.

It was far more readable and entertaining, but somewhat less educational. I was prepared to work very hard with my reading, and that wasn't necessary.

So what did I get out of this book?

Some very entertaining stories.
A high level understanding of what BioTech is and where it is going.
Enough understanding of the issues to understand newspaper articles, and basic conversations.
An exposure to the names of some of the key players in the field, and what their role is.

I enjoyed reading it, and came out more knowledgeable. That works for me.

[Alison]

I was of two minds about this book - the content (although much by now is probably somewhat dated) was very interesting and written in layman's terms, which I appreciated. I found it hard to get past the writer's style - it's written in a somewhat flippant tone, stream-of-consciousness style, lots of unnecessary "asides." But she does say that it's a comfortable style for her to write in, and ultimately it became easier to accept. The "backstories" on various biotech-related topics are fascinating. It would be interesting to know how the topics have been updated in the 7 years since it's been written - hopeful for a sequel. I'm giving the book 4 stars for content, but 3 for style.

[lisa]

i suppose this is a good primer for someone who doesn't know much about the biotech industry, but as someone who follows the industry, its a bit difficult to read it without bias. some issues she seems to gloss over too quickly, and others that get too much attention. i'm not so into her writing style (which one reviewer astutely likens to hunter s. thompson), and there's a sense that biotech only became important when she figured out it existed. oy, i am probably being too harsh...i did enjoy some parts...

[Jane]

Fondren has ordered this book.

Provides good background information on genetically modified foods, stem cells, biofuels, new cancer research, and other areas in biotechnology. The author is host of the popular National Public Radio (NPR) series "Tech Nation."

[Juha]

It's been sitting next to my bed for a few good months now. I'm reading it roughly 10 pages per month, but only because I tend to be pretty tired when I open it. Interesting reading though.

[Cdoming3]

Witty. Bio-tech for the dummy.

[Care]

http://imbookingit.wordpress.com/2009...

[Jim Good]

A Reflection of Moira Gunns history of the BioTech Nation radio start up over the first few years and some of the interesting highlights. Very little new in the book in regards to science.

[Mike Zoleski]

COOL.