Reshaping Life

Key Issues in Genetic Engineering

Third edition

G. J. V. Nossal and Ross L. Coppel

How far should scientists go in exploring the secrets of life? The questions are complex and increasingly urgent. This thoroughly updated new edition is essential reading.

Opinion

‘Reshaping Life is like a virtual key to enter the laboratory. . . It explains all the mysterious terms and techniques and introduces vital techniques of genetic engineering.’ (Edyta Szewczyk, November 2002)

About this Title

Powerful technologies can be used wisely or unwisely . . . It is not just DNA research which worries people, but reproductive, cellular and genetic research generally. Much of this technology is being rushed into widespread use, with little time to debate or educate the public. This makes it all the more important that the key issues of modern biotechnology are outlined in a simple yet authoritative way.

The human genome was published in June 2000. This historic event marked the close of a century in which we have made extraordinary advances in genetic engineering techniques.

What are some of the implications, for scientists and for society, of the amazing medical technology that is now available? Who should decide what is an ethical, or a safe, experiment? And how does our ability to manipulate life affect our perceptions of our place in the universe?

In this third, fully updated edition of Reshaping Life, Professor Ross Coppel joins eminent biologist Professor Gustav Nossal to explain in simple terms the techniques now being developed and used in genetic engineering.

Table of Contents

Preface to the third edition

1 The genie is out of the bottle
2 The organization of life
3 The mechanics of gene transplantation
4 Genomes: the encyclopaedias of life
5 Factories for precious proteins
6 Genes as diagnostic probes
7 Gene therapy, cellular engineering and human cloning
8 Vaccines of the future
9 Genetically manipulated organisms
10 The DNA industry
11 Scientists playing God
12 Genetic engineering and public policy
13 Distant horizons

Appendix Subcellular organelles
Glossary
Suggestions for further reading
Index

About the Author

Professor Sir Gustav Nossal is the distinguished former director of The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne. In retirement, he is Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts of the Vaccines and Biologicals Programme of the World Health Organization, and Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Council of the Bill and Melinda Gates Children’s Vaccine Program.

Ross Coppel is Professor of Microbiology at Monash University and Director of the Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium. He is an internationally recognized researcher in molecular biology, particularly for work on malaria and primary biliary cirrhosis.

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