Beyond Genetics: The User's Guide to DNA

McGee's predictions, while some may seem infeasible, are thought provoking and founded on ample research in today's biotechnology market. As a student taking AP Biology, I found this book to be wholly readable; it touched on topics I've had to study, but no where did it become tedious or perplexing.

McGee does an excellent job of sorting through the hype about genes and genetic engineering putting to bed some issues that seem to be frightening large amounts of people (like genetically modified food) and raising issues that do not appear to be on anyone's radar screen (patents issued to large, money-making corporations for YOUR genes). He explains in terms understandable by almost everyone why it matters that we look harder at what is being done and by whom. Too many articles on this topic today seem to concentrate on genetic manipulation that will pass on to future generations of plants or animals and thus be a major factor in evolution. But this book focuses on what can or can't be done with genes in the current generation, a much more clear and present danger (or benefit). The only fault I could find with the book is that the subtitle might lead a person to believe he had more control over where, when and by whom genetic engineering will impact his life. Unless more of us get together to help craft policies and laws about the use of genetics, the answers will all come from those who stand to profit moneywise from your genes.