Product Description
Intended for those with a limited background in genetic studies, this concise, entry-level text in conservation genetics is presented in a user-friendly format, with main points clearly highlighted. Solved problems are provided throughout to help illustrate key equations, although a basic knowledge of Mendelian genetics and simple statistics is assumed. A glossary and suggestions for further reading provide additional support for the reader. Numerous pen-and-ink portraits of endangered species bring the material to life. Also available: Introduction to Conservation Genetics"...balance[s] student need for clarity and brevity with the requirements of conservation professionals for detailed applications." Choice0-521-63014-2 Hardback $130.00 C0-521-63985-9 Paperback $50.00 D ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Conservation book
The book is fine for beginners in the conservation genetics.
So the price, I think that is expensive, because the book is just onlyan introduction
to conservation genetics. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This textbook, originally published in 1970, presents the field of population genetics, starting with elementary concepts and leading the reader well into the field. It is concerned mainly with population genetics in a strict sense and deals primarily with natural populations and less fully with the rather similar problems that arise in breading livestock and cultivated plans. The emphasis is on the behavior of genes and population attributes under natural selection where the most important measure is Darwinian fitness. This text is intended for graduate students and advanced undergraduates in genetics and population biologyThis book steers a middle course between completely verbal biological arguments and the rigor of the mathematician. The first two-thirds of the book do not require advanced mathematical background. An ordinary knowledge of calculus will suffice. The latter parts of the book, which deal with population stochastically, use more advanced methods.Chapter Titles: 1. Models of population growth. 2. Randomly mating populations. 3. Inbreeding. 4. Correlation between relatives and assertive mating 5. Selection. 6. Populations in approximate equilibrium. 7. Properties of a finite population. 8. Stochastic processes in the change of gene frequencies. 9. Distribution of gene frequencies in populations. Appendix. Some statistical and mathematical methods frequently used in population genetics. Bibliography. Glossary. Index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Essential Reading
Papers to date still site this book as its relevance and importance have not diminished over time. A must read for anyone interested in understanding more advanced population genetics. It really should be in print. So hard to find!

Get this back in print.
A great work that stands between the introductory texts suitable for undergraduate study and the rigorous mathematical expositions found in graduate texts.Its derivations are lucid and well-grounded in thebiological foundations.It is a tragedy that this title is out of print. ... Read more

Product Description

  Known for its focus on concepts and problem-solving, this best-selling book has been extensively updated with new coverage of genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics and more. Concepts of Genetics, 9/e is written in a clear and accessible style for readers.   

Introduction to Genetics, Mitosis and Meiosis, Mendelian Genetics, Extensions of Mendelian Ratios, Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes, Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages, Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes, Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Chromosome Number and Arrangement, Extranuclear Inheritance, DNA Structure and Analysis, DNA Replication and Recombination, DNA Organization in Chromosomes,  Recombinant DNATechnology and Gene Cloning, The Genetic Code and Transcription, Translation and Proteins, Gene Mutation and DNA Repair, Regulation of Gene Expression in Prokaryotes, Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes, Developmental Genetics of Model Organisms, Cancer and Regulation of the Cell Cycle,  Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics,  Genome Dynamics: Transposons, Immunogenetics, and Eukaryotic Viruses, Genomic Analysis--Dissection of Gene Function,  Applications and Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology,  Quantitative Genetics and Multifactorial Traits, Genetics and Behavior, Population Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, Conservation Genetics. Intended for those interested in learning the basics of genetics

Customer Reviews (6)

fast shipping, item as described
received the item very quickly (<1 week with standard shipping) and in very good condition.

Concepts of Genetics
I purchased this textbook for my genetics class at the University of Illinois. I was very impressed with the condition of the book and the speed at which it was shipped. I liked how the seller was very detailed about the condition of the used book and how the seller even added an extra study guide to the book. Thank you Amazon for giving me quality books for the cheapest prices.

This book needs a lot of work :-(
I had to use this book (9th edition) for my genetics class.It's an interesting an easy read but does not cover the mathematics behind genetics very well.If you are looking for the "big picture," then this text will probably help.However, if you need a text to help you understand the specifics and math behind genetics problems, then search elsewhere.Like some of the other reviewers have mentioned, the web site is totally useless, and this book is going to need a lot of editing before it is up to par with other genetics texts.

Don't buy new
I bought this book new after hearing about the included web page. One of my classes in the previous semester had a similar set-up, and I found it very useful. However, this webpage is a rip-off. The flash cards and the glossary functions don't work, making the website pretty much useless. The book is also riddled with typos and poor formatting. If you need it for a class, buy it used, but if you don't, don't buy it at all.

Intro Genetics
Book was good for reviewing notes from class, but wouldn't suggest it if you are not taking a class along side it. ... Read more

Product Description
Evolutionary genetics is concerned with nature of the variability used in evolution, and the causes of evolutionary change. The methods of evolutionary genetics are critically important for the analysis and interpretation of the massive datasets on DNA sequence variation and evolution that are becoming available, as well for our understanding of evolution in general. This book shows readers how models of the genetic processes involved in evolution are made (including natural selection, migration, mutation, and genetic drift in finite populations), and how the models are used to interpret classical and molecular genetic data. The material is intended for advanced level undergraduate courses in genetics and evolutionary biology, graduate students in evolutionary biology and human genetics, and researchers in related fields who wish to learn evolutionary genetics. The topics covered include genetic variation, DNA sequence variability and its measurement, the different types of natural selection and their effects (e.g. the maintenance of variation, directional selection, and adaptation), the interactions between selection and mutation or migration, the description and analysis of variation at multiple sites in the genome, genetic drift, and the effects of spatial structure. The final two chapters demonstrate how the theory illuminates our understanding of the evolution of breeding systems, sex ratios and life histories, and some aspects of genome evolution. ... Read more

Product Description
Human Genetics and Genomics, 3rd edition, the new rendition of the classic textbook Human Genetics: A Problem-Based Approach, merges basic genetic principles with clinical applications of genetics in medical practice. By presenting the core concepts of human genetics while maintaining an emphasis on a problem-based learning and clinical approach, the third edition of Human Genetics and Genomics acts both as a textbook for genetics courses, and a bridge into the clinical environment.

Features include enhanced emphasis on microbiology content, a chapter devoted to laboratory techniques, and a vast array of new pedagogy, such as:

Recommended readings for each chapter "Clinical snapshots" covering major genetic disorders and integrating a clinical approach Ethics boxes covering ethical implications in genetics Key points at the beginning of each chapter for a quick summary and Q&As at the end of each chapter for self-testing "Hot topics" sections at the ends of chapters covering new and emerging areas in genetics ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Human Genetics Text
This is the text my instructor uses for our class. It doesn't contain enough practice problems with solutions. I need to get another book that has more practice problems like we get tested on.

Korf (2007). Human Genetics and Genomics.
The book that I received was in very good condition initially.As I started reading the book the pages started falling out because of poor binding quality.I immediately notifed Sandra V. and she quickly responded and asked me to return to her for a full refund.She even let me keep the book until I finished my midterm since I had to order a new book.I am giving her 5 stars because of her phenomenal customer service.Sandra originally e-mailed me asking if I was satisfied and immediately responded to my binding issue.I have nothing but excellent comments about her customer service and responsiveness to my book problems.I highly recommend her to other customers.

Book is an easy read but I found several mistakes.
Book is an easy read but I found several mistakes, so be aware of that.

Great clinically-based format.
Clear and compelling, each topic presented in a clincal setting

Good for medical doctor or students
When I read this book, I was very excited the plot of it. Start with patient case, end with resonable explaination of genetic base of disease. I think it is highly recommandable to the doctors andmedical students whowant to connect basic and clinical aspect of medical genetics. ... Read more

Product Description
Key Benefit:

A supplement for any genetics book, this guide gives readers thorough instruction and practice for solving genetics problems. Using callout comments, the author walks readerse through the process of breaking down word problems by dissecting each sentence. At each significant point in the statement of a problem, readers learn to evaluate the given data, think about how it fits into the larger picture, and analyze relationships that lead to a potential solution. Currently, How to Solve Genetics Problems can be packaged with Pearson genetics books for a special value package price.

Key Topics:

Chromosome Mechanics - Mitosis and Meiosis, Transmission genetics, Linkage and Mapping, Molecular biology: DNA,

Molecular biology: Proteins, Transcription, Translation, and Mutation, Genetic regulation: Prokaryotes,Population genetics and Evolution

Market: Intended for those interested in learning the basics of genetics

Customer Reviews (1)

average
This book is my teacher suggested. I think it's okay. It's good to practice and train your brain. For my class...it's help only about 20% ... Read more

Product Description
Key Benefit:

Known for its focus on problem-solving, conceptual understanding, and practical applications, this best-seller is 32 pages shorter than its previous edition. New features of the Seventh Edition include new “Exploring Genomics” exercises for selected chapters, in-chapter summaries that follow concept introductions for efficient review, engaging case studies in each chapter, an expanded Companion Website with myeBook, and a new chapter on Behavioral Genetics.

Key Topics: Introduction to Genetics, Mitosis and Meiosis, Mendelian Genetics, Modifications of Mendelian Ratios, Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes, Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Number and Arrangement, Linkage and Mapping in Eukaryotes, Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Phage, DNA Structure and Analysis, DNA Replication and Recombination, Chromosome Structure and DNA Sequence Organization, The Genetic Code and Transcription, Translation and Proteins, Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposable, Regulation of Genetic Expression, Cancer and the Regulation of the Cell Cycle, Recombinant DNA Technology and Gene Cloning, Genomics and Proteomics, Applications and Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Developmental Genetics, Genetics and Behavior, Quantitative Genetics, Population and Evolutionary Genetics, Conservation Genetics

Market: Intended for those interested in learning the basics of genetics

Customer Reviews (7)

Incorrect Teachings...
I would not recommend this book to ANYBODY!!! It's VERY confusing and doesn't explain concepts well (i.e. the "fork method"). I may be wrong, but the majority of people who teach the chapter of Mendelian genetics that deals with assigning letters to dominant and recessive traits teach that the alleles are assigned according to the DOMINANT trait (e.g. rough is dominant to smooth: RR (rough) or rr (smooth) NOT SS or ss!!)...I don't know...maybe I missed something, but I just think this is wrong in SOOOO many ways.... NO ONE should invest in this confusing, erroneous book...

Confused
Seller sent the 6th Edition, but it doesn't look like the picture and it's the international edition. I don't think I would have bought the item if I knew it weren't the one being advertised.

Book for school
The over all time to get the book was good and the condition was good. Just like in the the message said when I went to buy it.

Essentials of Genetics (6th Edition)
This is for people that want to learn the basics of genetics. It is a simple book with illustrations that you can find in any genetics book that has pictures. The written material is the same drab of any genetics book. Only buy this if you need it for a class. If you are getting it for a light read, get an older edition and save some money. YOu will get the same material that way.

P-S nonsense
PLEASE tell somebody to eliminate the "-P-S-" abbreviation! (Fig. 9-12B, p. 201)
For years, I am fighting this imbecile representation of phosphate-sugar chain that persists in many, many textbooks, including Klug et al.

Nobody should abbreviate sugar as S (especially after Hershey-Chase experiment explained a bit earlier). Ask the Chemistry department!
"P" for phosphate is bad enough as well; so many students do not know the difference between phosphate and phosphorus!

Also, on Fig. 10-8 deoxyriboses have two strange features:
(a) they seem to miss C5' atom completely; (b) if P here is phosphate (-PO4), as I hope, then what is an extra oxygen doing here? Or "P" on Fig. 10-8 is different P from that on Fig. 9-10? ... Read more

Product Description

This book, suitable for numerate biologists and for applied statisticians, provides the foundations of likelihood, Bayesian and MCMC methods in the context of genetic analysis of quantitative traits. Although a number of excellent texts in these areas have become available in recent years, the basic ideas and tools are typically described in a technically demanding style and contain much more detail than necessary. Here, an effort has been made to relate biological to statistical parameters throughout, and the book includes extensive examples that illustrate the developing argument.

Customer Reviews (1)

Highly recommended!
This book contains a wealth of well presented and organized information, which is not easy to find in texts of similar level. I especially enjoyed the style and clarity of presentation. Outstanding! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

General Genetics
This is a standard genetics text, the illustrations tend to be good, but some of the explanations are a bit weak. Some of the graphics labels are misleading, but if your professor recommends this text, you don't really have a choice, do you? ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

This one-of-a-kind test prep guide helps you to test your knowledge of essential biochemistry and genetics concepts for the USMLE Step 1; practice with 500 USMLE Step 1-style questions with referenced answers; review explanations for right and wrong answers; and build confidence, skills, and knowledge.

Customer Reviews (3)

Disappointing at the outset
I've just opened this book to study for an important test. In only the first few minutes I've wasted time working through the overly long, labored explanations that can't get to the point. On page 64 I found a major error that had no easy-to-find errata online: the authors reused an image from a question on page 59. The answer they gave didn't relate to the image or the explanation wasting more of my time trying to figure out where their mistake was.

If this is typical of the shoddy editing and writing in this book I would be better off using Wikipedia to study.

Good as a sectional review
As with other books in the pretest series, if each section is read as a whole unit, with greater focus on the answers to the questions rather than the questions themselves, it provides a solid foundation for the biochemistry shelf.In fact, the arrangement of the topics allows for better comprehension of bulky topics like biochem for which the bullet-point style of BRS is not suited.

Very Very Good For Genetics but has some errors
Very very good book to prepare for test questions in your class for Genetics. Excellent questions for Genetics!!! Does contain some errors.

Is it worth buying? Yes! I know that I learn best by doing questions. Worthy investment for me. ... Read more

Product Description
"This is an absolutely superb book!I have been recommending it enthusiastically to professional colleagues, graduate students, and even the occasional highly motivated undergraduate student ever since it was published last year, and the response to the book has been overwhelmingly positive.Not only is the book unique in terms of topical coverage, but it is also extremely well executed.In fact, it is one of the best textbooks on any subject that I have read.It belongs on the shelves of everyone interested in the genetic aspects of human evolution.There is also much of value in it for paleoanthropologists, historical linguists, archaeologists, and human biologists (biological anthropologists), as well as for geneticists with various complementary specialties and interests.

… The text is clearly written, and the illustrations are excellent.The boxed supplementary text is especially informative, whether just explanatory information or an opinion piece by an outside expert.There is a real richness to the mtDNA and Y-chromosome data presented in a phyolgenetic/phylogeographic framework in the three chapters on prehistoric range expansion and global colonization.Students have found chapters 3-6 (about genome diversity) quite helpful and have deemed the text’s brief excursions into the realm of mathematics to be effectively presented and not overly technical.Appropriate Web sites are mentioned throughout the book, to foster independent research.I must confess that I learned something new (and important) from every chapter in the book!

… This new compendium emphasizes the enormous explosion in knowledge derived from human haploid systems and molecular genetic markers, and, as such, it is a most worthy successor.It should quickly become the book to consult for genetic information pertinent to the evolution of our species.To the authors, I offer both a sincere thank you and a hearty congratulations for a job well done!"

American Journal of Human Genetics, 76:0, 2005 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great book
You dont need to know technical Biology terms to enjoy it. Its a great book to enjoy, so I wont spoil the content.

for Kindle Ed.
This is my 1st Kindle product and I am using the PC client and not the hardware. Actually this is a textbook for my next U. quarter.

I am happy to get this book so quickly and not having to wait for a hard copy to be shipped. The discounted price from the $100 list price is OK too!

However, limitations of the format is not being able to cut and past, and not being able to print pages etc.

Evolutionary Genetics
I found this book a little difficult to read and somewhat abstract in it's order and presentation.

good so far
Not quite finished with it yet, but it's good so far. For bio majors taking an upper level Anthropology class, a lot of it is just a refresher. I think the authors are British too, some of the english is a bit different.

A great book all around
I ordered this book when I first began my research using DNA markers. I found it very easy to read and highly informative, even beyond my own interests.It's a great reference to have around and a must read for anyone working in the field of human genetics, both from a clinical or academic perspective. Its organization lends it suitable for a good textbook in an advanced evolutionary genetics course as well. ... Read more

Product Description
Provine sheds light on this complex field as well as its bearing on other branches of biology. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A fine scholarly history
'Evolution', in its biological sense, is simply any change in the frequencies of genes over time. There has never, so far as I know, been any real argument over whether such evolution occurs. The fuss, certainly ever since 1859, has always been mainly about two things: _how_ it occurs (Does it happen solely by 'natural selection'? If so, by what mechanism(s)? Or does it happen at least partly by design?), and whether it's sufficient to provide a complete account of speciation (and sometimes the origin of life, though strictly speaking this point is not part of the theory of evolution itself).

Not that you'd know this from most public debate on the subject. If there's one topic guaranteed to generate letters to the editor written at a grade-school level or below from people who ought to know better (on _both_ sides), this is surely it.

Well, if everything you (think you) know about this debate comes from listening to somebody denounce it from the pulpit -- or for that matter from watching 'Inherit the Wind' and/or reading _The Selfish Gene_ -- then you really should educate yourself before sounding off about it. And one thing you'll want to learn is a little of the history of the subject.

William Provine's scholarly history of the science of population genetics, originally written in 1971, is a fine place to start. It covers the development of the field from the time of Darwin through the early twentieth century, the period during which the synthesis of Darwinian natural selection and Mendelian genetics was taking place.

You'll encounter some familiar names -- of course Darwin and Mendel, but also e.g. Thomas Henry Huxley, Sir Francis Galton, and J.B.S. Haldane. You'll also encounter a number of other names that probably won't be familiar to you unless you already know something about this field (or perhaps about statistics): William Bateson, Karl Pearson, Sir Ronald A. Fisher, and Sewall Wright, for example.

And mainly, you'll get a grasp of the way Darwin's theory and the new science of genetics dovetailed and reinforced one another in the synthesis of modern population genetics. If you don't believe in evolutiuon-by-natural-selection yourself, you'll at least begin to see why other people do and what's so intellectually attractive about it. And if you _do_ believe in it yourself, you'll get a healthy sense of the fact that it hasn't ever been a uniform, monolithic theory that left no room for any sort of argument.

It would be nice if everybody who felt entitled to an opinion in the evolution debate would read this book. Of course there are also lots of readers who don't need this warning; to them I simply say that this is a readable, well-researched history of its title topic. ... Read more

Product Description
The first book devoted exclusively to the principles and practice of genetic counseling—now in a new edition

First published in 1998, A Guide to Genetic Counseling quickly became a bestselling and widely recognized text, used nationally and internationally in genetic counseling training programs. Now in its eagerly anticipated Second Edition, it provides a thoroughly revised and comprehensive overview of genetic counseling, focusing on the components, theoretical framework, and unique approach to patient care that are the basis of this profession. The book defines the core competencies and covers the genetic counseling process from case initiation to completion—in addition to addressing global professional issues—with an emphasis on describing fundamental principles and practices.

Chapters are written by leaders in the field of genetic counseling and are organized to facilitate academic instruction and skill attainment. They provide the most up-to-date coverage of:

• The history and practice of genetic counseling

• Family history

• Interviewing

• Case preparation and management

• Psychosocial counseling

• Patient education

• Risk communication and decision-making

• Medical genetics evaluation

• Understanding genetic testing

• Medical documentation

• Multicultural counseling

• Ethical and legal issues

• Student supervision

• Genetic counseling research

• Professional development

• Genetics education and outreach

• Evolving roles and expanding opportunities

• Case examples

A Guide to Genetic Counseling, Second Edition belongs on the syllabi of all medical and human genetics and genetic counseling training programs. It is an indispensable reference for both students and healthcare professionals working with patients who have or are at risk for genetic conditions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive
As a graduating genetic counseling student, I have found this book to be highly valuable. It covers much of the practical information needed for genetic counseling, from how to run a session to psychosocial issues. It does not cover genetics, and is not meant to be that kind of text. This book is meant to be used in conjunction with genetic counseling classes and clinical training experience.

really?
Caveat: i did not read the whole book.

Based on the chapters I did read: mind-numbingly dull and pedantic; condescending to both counselor and patient.

I think it would be reasonableto write a book on genetic counseling that departs from the premise that the audience has basic social skills. ... Read more

Product Description

Thorough coverage is given to cell mechanics, chromosomes, Mend elian genetics, sex determination, mutations and alleles, bacterial and viral genetics, biochemistry, immunogenetics, genetic engineering, probability, and statistics.

Customer Reviews (2)

Lots of mistakes
The book looks great at first but after you start solving the problems you see there are many mistakes and miss errors. Needs to be seriously revised.

A MUST-BUY REVIEW
One of the best Genetics Review Textbook I have ever read before.A highly recommended guide to study and solve problems of Genetics which is the most difficult field among the Biological Sciences.It explains very concisely complex problems related to Population Genetics,Mapping,Probabilities,and Genetic Engineering.There are lot of short answer questions for review.Excellent for undergraduate courses as well as for professional admissions tests. ... Read more

Product Description

In evolution, most genes survive and spread within populations because they increase the ability of their hosts (or their close relatives) to survive and reproduce. But some genes spread in spite of being harmful to the host organism—by distorting their own transmission to the next generation, or by changing how the host behaves toward relatives. As a consequence, different genes in a single organism can have diametrically opposed interests and adaptations.

Covering all species from yeast to humans, Genes in Conflict is the first book to tell the story of selfish genetic elements, those continually appearing stretches of DNA that act narrowly to advance their own replication at the expense of the larger organism. As Austin Burt and Robert Trivers show, these selfish genes are a universal feature of life with pervasive effects, including numerous counter-adaptations. Their spread has created a whole world of socio-genetic interactions within individuals, usually completely hidden from sight.

Genes in Conflict introduces the subject of selfish genetic elements in all its aspects, from molecular and genetic to behavioral and evolutionary. Burt and Trivers give us access for the first time to a crucial area of research—now developing at an explosive rate—that is cohering as a unitary whole, with its own logic and interconnected questions, a subject certain to be of enduring importance to our understanding of genetics and evolution.

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent and exhaustive coverage of the subject
I was EXTREMELY lucky to have taken an one-on-one course with Dr. Trivers and I must say that he's the first to both praise and point out pitfalls in this book.

While being the most definitive guide to the subject out there, it can at times be very technical and hard to understand. Especially the chapters on genomic imprinting, exclusion (for me). However, I feel that this complexity only arises from the fact that the chapters are written out with as much detail as possible (as you will be able to see from the pages and pages of references in the bibliography).

Each chapter comes with its relevant illustrations, with the figures for mechanisms of selfish drive being the most important ones. Figures showing data can be complicated and at times, he even CALLED the authors while I was in class to answer a question I had.

The book is very well organized with the authors laying out the background followed by each chapter dedicated to a specialized genetic element. Work on B chromosomes, genetic imprinting, sex chromosome and autosomal drive are particularly well written with implications and mechanisms detailed out with the latest (uptil time of publication) information.

The only think lacking that I thought from the book was a better and more thorough summary chapter at the end, but then again I'm just being picky. With so much detail on the each topic within the chapter, the summary is pretty well written out.

Finally, I want to add that this is a book on evolution and the evolution and role of selfish genetic elements in shaping the evolution of host genomes (if it happens at all). It can get technical but the subject is never introduced in any form of education that I have experienced so the concepts were relatively new to me. This book will be a difficult read for the average reader not well versed with some concepts in biology as kin-ship theory or "degrees of relatedness". But if you want a solid and detailed description of the world of selfish elements, this is the book !

Holding it all together
When Richard Dawkins published "The Selfish Gene" two decades ago, today one wonders if he had any inkling then of what his idea launched.The din of protest over the concept was loud and vituperous.Yet, a generation of research has proven him more correct than anybody imagined then.In this work, researchers Trivers and Burt have summarized the wealth of information derived over the years.Genes do far more, it seems, than simply act to replicate themselves.They intrude, divert, even kill parts of the genome to provide themselves with any and every opportunity to endure down the generations.Some genes wish to protect the genome, while others seek to damage it - both for selfish ends.In this impressive and detailed overview, we learn which types of genes strive for dominance and why.

Your body is a mosaic of cell collections.These can be winnowed down to two basic types - somatic cells and sex cells.This is essentially the case for all plants and animals, down to such simple types as protozoa.The sex cells, the gametes, have the role of carrying the messages that will build the new body of somatic cells and containing new gametes.None of this process is as straightforward as was formerly thought.Within every body, conflicts rage as genes contend for favoured conditions.The genome, that fundamental instruction mechanism, is the arena where various genes, some with a long evolutionary history, insert themselves to provide a different recipe for life.The successful ones have what the authors describe as "drive".These genetic elements contrive to be transmitted to a disproportionate fraction of the organism's progeny" - a victory over the 50-50 Mendelian ratio taught in introductory biology classes.

The authors try to follow these actions from the molecular to the evolutionary, but as they accept, the full lines of evidence either have not, or cannot be tracked completely.They provide a brief history of research in selfish gene elements, then go on to expand on this with more recent work.Their account addresses such questions as how does the selfish element accomplish its ends, when and how did it likely originate, how far does it spread and how quickly, does it produce co-adaptations, and what does it do to the host and its lineage? The twists and turns of these elements vary from mundane parasitics who use the host only to replicate to killers which can modify sex ratios.The classifications they use permit the book to be read in any order, with the reader's interests easily covered by their chapter organisation.

Selfish genes may be readily identified in many cases by their tendency to locate on the centromeres of a chromosome.This is a critical area, hence protected from intrusion.Many of the groups, which may contain hundreds of genes, once found the means to enter this zone.Meiosis and cell division convey these groups through the process of reproduction and body construction, thus allowing them to proliferate easily.Of the ten topical areas, one of the more fascinating is that of gene imprinting.Unlike the "imprinting" of newborn creatures choosing the first moving object it sees as its parent, gene imprinting is parent-specific gene expression.Either the male or female parent may contain such genes, but in either circumstance, once established, a dominance will result that is passed to future generations.In many cases that imprinting will drive the sex of the embryo, usually favouring female progeny over male.Is it this sort of gene structure that contributed to the change from solitary insects such as the ancestral wasps to the social forms, including bees, that we see today?Is the formation of our own bodies, which are but groupings of specialised cells, the result of selfish genes that have learned to work together? How does it all hold together?

Clearly, as the authors point out, it is the sexual species where selfish gene elements have made their greatest successes.Some of them may find and invade the gamete cells and drive how the resulting union follows.In a few cases, the intruders have developed ways of ejecting unwanted segments from the gametes or the fertilised egg itself.With these methods available, they may even kill embryos of multiple-birth species, leaving only those individuals who carry their coding.With meticulous care, the authors describe those about which something is known, while pointing to areas needing dedicated research.Inevitably, the issue of stem cell research looms large in their proposals.

While the book is well-organised, effectively illustrated, and containing a useful glossary, it is the references that give it a firm underpinning.Burt and Trivers have made contributions of their own, but the nearly one hundred pages of source material are an invaluable resource.The authors have gone so far as to expand the subject areas in a special section to aid searching for topics.An unequalled work, this book will long endure - to be supplanted only by the ongoing investigations they call for.[stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Detailed but Confusing
Burt and Trivers have produced an encylopedic compilation of examples of selfish genetic elements.There is a wealth of information available in this book, but you have to work hard to wade through the authors' ambiguous wording, contradictory phrasing, utterly confusing tables and figures, and almost complete lack of follow-through on any of their ideas.This book is not for the general public.I read it with a group of professors and graduate students who focus on evolution, and we had a hard time getting through it.

Despite the problems with the book, I recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in this subject area.It's a great reference and source of ideas.It also provides a solid overview of what research has already been done and what remains to be conducted.Furthermore, it has some amazing examples of organisms with truly bizarre natural histories; those parts of the book are fascinating to read.

Overall, I'd say if you really think you'd be interested in this topic, buy the book.But be prepared to work hard while reading it, and expect to be frustrated with it on a regular basis.

Rich book but...
The book is rich, brings several ideas and hypotheses but does not bother explain those ideas. There can be too much information in a chapter to be able to draw overall picture of the topic. Still, it is a good book to obtain.

Fascinating
The concept of a "selfish gene" has made its way into the popular and semi-popular press, and because of this has provoked many discussions in ethical circles as well as in the area known as evolutionary psychology. Some of these discussions attempt to set the record straight on just what biologists mean when they talk about selfish genes. This book could be considered part of these discussions, and offers the reader a fascinating account of the science behind what the authors call selfish genetic elements. The book however is not written for the popular audience, but instead assumes a strong background in genetics. However the authors have included a terminology section in the back of the book to assist non-experts in genetics (such as this reviewer). The authors are very careful to make distinctions between what is known about selfish genes and what constitutes speculation. For readers who still need more discussion over and above what the book gives, there is an extensive list of references included. In addition, the authors include a very detailed summary of the book in the last chapter.

Every page of this book is filled with interesting insights, and many questions are answered as well as raised. Some of the questions that this reviewer found interesting include:
1. What are the natures of genomic exclusion systems wherein chromosomes are discarded from one parent and transmit only those from the other parent?
2. Why did paternal genome loss (PGL) evolve? Was it because of bacterial endosymbionts manipulating the chromosomes of their hosts, and if so, what evidence is there for this? How common is PGL?
3. What is hybridogenesis and in what species does it occur? Why did it evolve?
4. Androgenesis is the loss of the maternal genome. How common is it and how risky is it for the species in which it occurs?
5. The chromosomal system of the fungus gnat is described in the book as the most complex of any organism. What is the nature of this complexity? And why do these gnats need such a complicated system?
6. Are there any species whose genome can benefit from outbreeding with closely related species?
7. How does a length of DNA distort its own transmission?
8. How fast do selfish genetic elements spread?
9. Can techniques from genetic engineering, such as transgenic strategies, suppress the spread of selfish genetic elements?
10. Can the spread of selfish genetic elements be suppressed by recombination?
11. What is the nature of segregation disorder? How did it evolve?
12. The t haplotype in mice spans one third of chromosome 17, making it very large. How is such a large section of DNA inherited? Why does it show drive in only one sex and what are the consequences of this?
13. What effects do selfish genetic elements have on the phenotype of the organism in which they occur?
14. What similarities are there between selfish genetic elements in terms of their genetic structure?
15. Can selfish genetic elements be created using techniques from genetic engineering?
16. What is the nature of maternal-effect dominant embryonic arrest (Medea)?
17. Why are maternal-effect killers more common than gamete killers?
18. Gametophyte factors are genes that act in the styles of plants in order to kill pollen in which they are absent. Why are they so prevalent?
19. Do killer X chromosomes ever cause species extinction?
20. In what species do killer Y-chromosomes occur?
21. Why is Y drive expected to cause more population extinction than X drive?
22. Why are killer sex chromosomes more prevalent in insects (dipterans) than mammals?
23. Why did meiotic sex chromosome inactivation evolve?
24. What is the nature of genomic imprinting? Why did it evolve?
25. Can genetic memory extend back for more than one generation?
26. Why do adult male chimeric mice possessing a large amount of parthenogenetic cells in their brains very aggressive towards other males?
27. Can imprinted genes affect brain function, and if so, what are the consequences of this for the organism?
28. Why do selfish mitochondrial genomes have a replication advantage over normal mitochondrial genomes in selection within organisms?
29. What evidence is there that uniparental inheritance evolved to prevent the spread of selfish mitochondria?
30. Why did doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) evolve in freshwater mussels?
31. Does DUI lead to more recombination, and therefore to more effective evolution?
32. What is cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and how is it used in hybrid seed production in plants?
33. Homing endonuclease genes (HEG) can transfer between species. What advantages does this have for the persistence of these genes?
34. How are artificial HEGs used in genetic engineering?
35. Can selfish genetic elements be used to cure human diseases?
36. Transposable elements are described as being the most prevalent of the selfish genetic elements. What different types of transposable elements are there?
37. What are helitrons?
38. Why do DNA transposons persist for so long?
39. What evidence is there for the horizontal transmission of DNA transposons?
40. Are there any beneficial consequences of transposable element inserts?
41. About one-half of the mammalian genome is composed of transposable elements. What advantages does the genome have in possessing such a large number of transposable elements?
42. Large genomes have been shown to reduce the number of cells per unit brain size and the number of interconnections between them. What is the connection, if any, between selfish genetic elements and the intelligence of the organism?
43. Through more research of the type described in many parts of this book, will it be shown that every organism has some type of selfish genetic element? If some species lack selfish genetic elements, why do they have this property and what caused these elements to be suppressed in the course of evolution?
44. Do selfish genetic elements have any connection with determining sexual preferences in humans?
45. Can selfish genetic elements be induced by environmental or external pressures? ... Read more

Product Description
Genetic Data Analysis, first published in 1990, became the standard reference for ways to interpret discrete population genetic data. Genetic Data Analysis II retains the strengths of the original book and, based upon the suggestions of users, includes many new features, notably the revision of Chapter 10 (Phylogeny Reconstruction) to incorporate newer methods, and new chapters on Linkage and Individual Identification.

Genetic Data Analysis II features an expanded set of Exercises, with solutions, and an expanded list of references. In addition, a suite of Windows-based programs written by Paul O. Lewis and Dmitri Zaykin is available without charge from the Web site maintained by the program in Statistical Genetics at North Carolina State University. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Essential Text
This is a good book for someone with a sound grasp of Mendelian genetics, familiarity with molecular genetics, and some experience with population genetics who wants to step up their understanding two or three levels. The math is at the level of a graduate course in genetics, but not too theoretical, and Weir points out where some of the modelling gets lost in the weeds.

Parts of the book are a tough slog, not because of any flaw in the book, but because it compares allelic, gametic, and population frequencies with recessive and multiallelic traits. Which makes for some painful reading, but the reader will be left with an appreciation of how often genetics papers ignore common scenarios that would make their results ambiguous. And if someone wants to do higher order statistical analysis, this is where they need to go to see how variables are calculated. This is crucial, because many of these variables are fairly similar, but havedifferent sets of assumptions.

Reading this book requires constant flipping of pages back and forth because nothing is repeated. By the time I was finished, the pages were falling out. This book could be four times as large, and if it were in a larger format, it would benefit from extensive footnotes and cross references. Although it would be bulkier and a more reptitive, it would be possible to read it in a linear fashion.

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Product Description
In this volume, the product of decades of study and research, the world's foremost geneticist surveys the major developments in what is emerging as the most important single area of scientific inquiry in the twentieth century: biological theory of evolution in particular.Noting that the theory of evolution in biology is more than a century old, Dr. Dobzhansky points out that it is nevertheless only in recent times that our knowledge of its physical basis as well as our understanding of its dynamics has progressed greatly. Yet, he notes, new problems have replaced the older ones at the forefront of scientific inquiry, problems which require entirely new approaches. It is to these manifold and exciting new questions that the author brings a lifetime of experience.Throughout, his goal is to create not a summary of all the available literature, nor a professional book written only for the scientific community, but rather a presentation of basic ideas, accompanied by the indispensable references which would enable interested readers to pursue the matter further. The book has been purposely kept short to enable it to be read as a whole, and above all, it has been written in a manner which will hold the attention as well as inform both the general reader and the professionally concerned scientist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A BROAD-RANGING BOOK FROM A FAMOUS EVOLUTIONARY THEORIST
Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-1975) was a famous geneticist and evolutionary biologist.This 1970 book (like several of Dobzhansky's later works) covers more than simply evolutionary theory.

He begins by noting that "Organic diversity is a response of living matter to the diversity of environments, and of opportunities for different modes of life on our planet.""The gene pool is in constant motion; if a simile is desired, a stormy sea is more appropriate than a beanbag."However, he cautions, "Talking about traits as though they were independent entities is responsible for much confusion in biological, and particular in evolutionary, thought."

He observes, "Suppose that one wishes to transform, by selective breeding, the human race into a race of angels.We can be virtually certain that it would be much easier to breed for angelic disposition than for a pair of wings because there is available in human populations a variance in disposition.... There is much less chance of encountering variants on the basis of which the development of wings may be started, and to expect mutations providing such a basis seems rather farfetched.And yet birds and mammals, or bats and primates, have had a common albeit remote, ancestry.There is no possibility of repeating, however, or reversing and repeating the evolutionary process that gave rise to these winged and wingless creatures."

Dobzhansky notes that of divergent phenotypes in humans, "a great majority ... represent mild or serious genetic defects or diseases."He also admits that "the problems of the maintenance of genetic variability in natural populations, and of the ways in which natural selection acts, are as yet far from solved.These are basic problems of any causal theory of evolution....Moreover, it is probable that the state of the knowledge as outlined above will be surpassed in the near future."

An original contribution in this volume is the notion of evolution proceeding by "random walk": "evolution by random walk must be regarded as an important, or even prevalent, evolutionary mode," and "The problem of evolution by random walk invites further studies."

As with other books of Dobzhansky's (e.g., Heredity, Race and Society), he strongly criticizes then-current theories of racial origins that were used to justify racist theories: "It should be made unequivocally clear that the number of races or subspecies which one chooses to recognize by giving them vernacular or formal Latin names is largely, though not completely, arbitrary."

He concludes by saying that "The evolution of every phyletic line yields a novelty that never existed before and is a unique, unrepeatable, and irreversible proceeding..... An evolutionary history is a unique chain of events," and "I feel that a biologist may reasonably speak of evolutionary progress, provided only that he makes clear what kind of progress is meant."

This is a significant work by a major modern evolutionary thinker.



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