Genetics: A Ladybird Expert Book (23)

Ladybird Expert #14

by Adam Rutherford

Who discovered genetics?
How does gene inheritance work?
Is DNA common to all living things?


We inherit CODES from our parents. And these codes are written in the molecule DNA. This DNA means that we RESEMBLE each other, namely our families.

This raises so many questions such as how does DNA influence evolution? How was it discovered? And what does it mean for the future of the human race?

Discover the answers and more inside Adam Rutherford's Ladybird Expert - Genetics, the thrilling and accessible account that explains race and genetics, whether it is our DNA or the environment that influences us most, what are our chances of being related to royalty, genetic engineering and much more . . .

Genres: Science

56 pages, Hardcover

Published June 14, 2018

About the author

Adam David Rutherford is a British geneticist, author, and broadcaster. He was an audio-visual content editor for the journal Nature for a decade, is a frequent contributor to the newspaper The Guardian, hosts the BBC Radio 4 programme Inside Science, has produced several science documentaries and has published books related to genetics and the origin of life.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is quite amazing to think that DNA was first discovered just over a century ago, though several scientists had concluded that something was passing on traits from parent to child, but couldn’t quite say what. Exactly what it was and how it was constructed though was discovered by Francis and Crick with an enormous amount of assistance from Rosalind Franklin, though she didn’t know it at the time.

Rutherford has written a really good brief overview of the history of genetics, how we are almost certain related to a monarch back along the family tree and what fruit has more genes than us and how to see evolution happening in the genetic record. He brings us up to date with some of the latest discoveries on the subject and the possibilities of genetics in the future.

I love the format of these little expert guides. It harks back to the books I used to read as a child and remember fondly. These have a difference though, they are concise books with detailed information written by experts and are a brief introduction to some complex science. Great little books for the budding scientist and those that want to read up on an unknown subject.

[Gothwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great intro to genetics. This book covers everything from the discover of genes and DNA; the work of Franklin, Crick and Waston through to the modern day science of CRISPR Cas9, synthetic bio and DNA data storage.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little intro to genetics with a few touches of Adam's humour spliced in.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet guide with just enough science to satisfy a novice like me. Pictures were a little distracting though.