The Book of Genes & Genomes presents a concise overview of the advances in genetics and genomics and provide the unfamiliar reader with a succinct description of many of the applications and implications of this field. Given the substantial investment in genetics and genomics over the past several decades and the many recent discoveries and developments, this book will help the reader begin to understand the importance of genetics and genomics to us all. This exciting new title includes information on how genetics and genomics has advanced our understanding of health and medicine, evolution, and biology, as well as how they are pushing the boundaries of ethics and social values.
- Assumes no prior knowledge on the part of the reader;
- Easy to understand writing style, enabling novices to read and speak the "language" of genes and genomes;
- Inclusion of case-studies that depict how genes and genomics have advanced understanding of health, medicine, evolution and biology, but juxtaposed to ethics and social values;
- Recommended reading offered to facilitate self study;
- Clear, up to date and affordable.
Author(s): Susanne B. Haga
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 250
City: Cham
Preface
Contents
1: From Genes to Genomes in All Living Things
The 1800s
The 1900s
Can We Actually “See” DNA?
What Have We Learned from Sequencing the Human Genome?
Why Sequence the Genomes of Other Species?
Genes and Disease
Beyond the Sequence
Conclusion
Resources
2: My Family’s Health History (and Why It Is Important for Me to Know)
What Is Family (Health) History?
Collecting a Family History
Showing a Family History: What Is a Pedigree?
Interpreting a Family History
Digital Family History
What If You Do Not Know Much About Your Family Health History?
Why Is Marrying Family Members of Concern?
Taking a Step Back: From Families to Whole Populations
Conclusion
References
3: A Savior Sibling
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
Savior Siblings
Other Controversial Uses of PGD
Ethical Issues
Conclusion
Resources
4: Too Few, Too Many
Health Effects of Extra/Missing Chromosomes
How Do Chromosomal Abnormalities Arise?
Down Syndrome
Normal But with Missing or Extra DNA?
Cancer
Screening Tests for Chromosomal Abnormalities in Pregnancy
Diagnosis of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Pregnancy
Resources
5: You Have Probably Already Had a Genetic Test (But No One Told You): Newborn Screening
Beginning of Newborn Screening: The First Disease Screened
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
State by State
How Do States Decide Which Diseases to Screen?
Do Parents Have a Choice?
Moving Beyond Screening for Treatable Diseases
Conclusion
Resources
6: Sweet Blood
What Is Diabetes?
Treatment of Diabetes
Genetics of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Would You Change Your Behavior If You Knew You Were at Risk for Diabetes?
Resources
7: Will This Drug Work for You?
Short History of Genetics and Drug Response
Understanding the Genetic Mechanisms Behind Drug Response
Should You Be Tested the Next Time You Take a Drug?
Resources
8: No Two Cancers the Same
Tools to Classify Cancer
Tumor Sequencing
Microarrays
Inherited Cancers
Cancer Diagnoses, Cancer Sub-types, and Treatment
Targeted and Tailored Treatments
From Biopsy to Blood-Based Cancer Screening Tests (Risk Assessment)
Conclusion
References
9: Correcting Genes
How Does Gene Therapy Work?
The First Successful Trial of Gene Therapy
Side Effects of Gene Therapy
Gene Editing
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy
Ethical Considerations of Gene Therapy and Gene Editing
Conclusion
Resources
10: Hunting the Invisible Bugs
A Quick History of Pathogens
Microbial Genomics
Tracking an Infectious Disease Outbreak
Laboratory Testing
Legionnaires’ Disease
Recent Infectious Diseases
SARS
E. coli Outbreak (Spinach)
MRSA
Anthrax
SARS-CoV-2
Microbiome
Prevention of Infectious Disease
Conclusion
Resources
11: Can Genes Explain Behavior?
What Is a Behavioral Trait?
Determining If a Behavioral Trait Is Genetic or Not
Scientific Challenges of Studying the Genetics of Behavior
Examples of Genes and Behavior
Schizophrenia
Intelligence
Aggression
Sort of in Our Genes, But Not Exactly
Risks and Benefits of Defining Genes Associated with Behaviors
Conclusion
Resources
12: I Will Have the Genetically Modified Foods, Please
What Is GM?
How Many GM Crops Are There?
Examples of GM Crops and Livestock
Enhanced Taste, Appearance, and Size
Flavr Savr Tomato
AquAdvantage Salmon
GalSafe Pigs
Insect Resistance
Bt Corn
Herbicide Tolerance
Enriched and Drug-Producing Plants
Golden Rice
Reduced Nicotine Tobacco
Vaccines
Genetically Modified Enzymes for Food Production
Regulatory Oversight of GM Foods
Product Labeling
Public Opinion and Debate over GM Foods
Environmental Concerns
Health Concerns
Ethical Concerns
Conclusion
Resources
13: Cleaning Up the Environment
Applications
Pest Control
Bioremediation and Biodegradation
Bacteria
Plants
Biosensors
Concerns
Conclusion
Resources
14: Genetics and the Crime Scene: Just Like TV?
Identification Testing Before DNA
Rise of DNA Testing
The First DNA-Based Criminal Investigation
The Growth of DNA-Based Forensics
Forensic DNA Databases
DNA Genealogical Databases and Criminal Investigations
Humanitarian Applications
Other Applications of DNA-Based Forensics
Conclusion
Resources
15: Are Humans Related to Cavemen?
Some Ancient History
How Long Can DNA Last?
Genetic Analysis of Ancient DNA
Neanderthals
Caveman’s Health
Egyptian Mummies
Implications for Evolution
Conclusion
References
16: (Re-)Creating New Life
It All Starts with DNA
Synthesis
Re-creation of Deadly Microorganisms
Minimal Genome
Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 1—Obtaining DNA Sequences
Ancient DNA: Dinosaurs
Woolly Mammoths and Other Recently Extinct Species
Quagga
Marsupial Wolf
Woolly Mammoths
Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 2—Genome Synthesis
Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 3—Development
Vaccine Development
Ethical Issues of Synthetic Genomics
Conclusion
References
17: Home-based Genetic Testing: A Brave New World
Clinical Genetic Testing
New Genetic Discoveries
Advances in Testing Technologies
Bringing Genetic Testing Directly to the Public: No Doctor Required
Recreational and Ancestry Testing
Government Oversight of DTC Companies
Risks and Benefits
Conclusion
References
Index
