Designed to inform and inspire the next generation of plant biotechnologists Plant Biotechnology and Genetics explores contemporary techniques and applications of plant biotechnology, illustrating the tremendous potential this technology has to change our world by improving the food supply. As an introductory text, its focus is on basic science and processes. It guides students from plant biology and genetics to breeding to principles and applications of plant biotechnology. Next, the text examines the critical issues of patents and intellectual property and then tackles the many controversies and consumer concerns over transgenic plants. The final chapter of the book provides an expert forecast of the future of plant biotechnology. Each chapter has been written by one or more leading practitioners in the field and then carefully edited to ensure thoroughness and consistency. The chapters are organized so that each one progressively builds upon the previous chapters. Questions set forth in each chapter help students deepen their understanding and facilitate classroom discussions. Inspirational autobiographical essays, written by pioneers and eminent scientists in the field today, are interspersed throughout the text. Authors explain how they became involved in the field and offer a personal perspective on their contributions and the future of the field. The text's accompanying CD-ROM offers full-color figures that can be used in classroom presentations with other teaching aids available online. This text is recommended for junior- and senior-level courses in plant biotechnology or plant genetics and for courses devoted to special topics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an ideal reference for practitioners.

Remarkable advances in molecular genetics have brought benefits ranging from more flavorful tomatoes to inexpensive human insulin produced in bacteria. But not everyone welcomes the inevitable "genetic revolution." Perhaps because experts and the general public belatedly recognized that the benefits of other technologies have come at great cost--pollution of the environment, exhaustion of natural resources, even damage to the atmosphere--many assume that similarly unintended and unforeseen harmful consequences are inevitable for biotechnology. What monsters and disasters, they wonder, will accompany the miracles of this latest advance? In The Genetic Revolution Bernard D. Davis and other experts address such fears with clear explanations of molecular genetics, its practical applications in biotechnology, its legal implications, and its surprising historical context. In fact, "biotechnology" is as old as civilization itself--and was originally called "domestication": the adaptation of initiallywild organisms, by empirical genetic selection, to meet human needs. And the scientific record shows that, unlike more recent technologies based on the physical sciences, the great benefits of domestication have been remarkably free of harmful side effects. Defenders argue that the new techniques of genetic engineering will simply increase the speed, precision, and range of domestication. However, the purpose will remain the same: to strengthen those traits, in animals, plants, or microbes, that make the organism more useful for humans. To ensure that all sides of the debate are heard, Davis has chosen outstanding contributors with a wide range of viewpoints--from apprehensive toenthusiastic--and a variety of backgrounds, including political science, law, and government regulation, as well as biology and medicine. With the latest information on the likely impact of genetic engineering in agriculture, animal husbandry, ecology, and medical research and practice, The Genetic Revolution introduces scientific facts and informed opinions to an emotional and often confusing public discussion.

Focused on basics and processes, this textbook teaches plant biology and agriculture applications with summary and discussion questions in each chapter. Updates each chapter to reflect advances / changes since the first edition, for example: new biotechnology tools and advances, genomics and systems biology, intellectual property issues on DNA and patents, discussion of synthetic biology tools Features autobiographical essays from eminent scientists, providing insight into plant biotechnology and careers Has a companion website with color images from the book and PowerPoint slides Links with author's own website that contains teaching slides and graphics for professors and students: http://bit.ly/2CI3mjp

An examination of the uneasy relationship between business and medical science, this book throws a generous bucket of cold water on the original expectations of genetic engineering. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR