Best Books on Genetics

This fascinating history of the gene explores human heredity and its influence on our lives, personalities, fates, and choices. The author weaves science, history, and personal memoir into an epic tale of discovery, from Aristotle to the revolutionary innovators of the 21st century. Through emotional stories and a riveting narrative, he explores the questions that hang over our ability to translate the science of genetics from the laboratory to the real world, making this a book we all should read.

This book is a thrilling account of Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues' revolutionary invention that will allow us to cure diseases and have healthier babies. They created a tool called CRISPR that can edit DNA, opening up a world of medical miracles and moral questions. This book tells the story of Doudna's journey from a girl who loved detective novels to a leading scientist and the ethical considerations and possibilities of this groundbreaking technology.

Discover the remarkable story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951, becoming one of the most important tools in medicine. Her cells have been bought and sold by the billions for medical advancements, but her story and legacy remain virtually unknown. This New York Times bestseller tackles the collision between ethics, race, and medicine, and the daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew. A riveting tale of scientific discovery and faith healing that will leave you questioning the ethics of medical advancements.

Discover the secrets of your family history with the most cutting-edge tool available: DNA testing. This updated guide provides a plain-English walkthrough of the various DNA tests available, the pros and cons of major testing companies, and tips for choosing the right test for your specific genealogy questions. Learn how to navigate overwhelming results, understand ethnicity estimates, analyze data with third-party tools, and more. Complete with colorful diagrams, expert insights, and case studies, this guide is perfect for beginners and experienced testers alike.

"Discover the amazing power of DNA as a living chronicle of evolution in this fascinating book. Follow author Sean B. Carroll on a tour through three billion years of evolution, and learn how the fittest creatures on our planet have adapted to their environments. From immortal genes to the scars of past battles with disease, this highly readable narrative is an eye-opening journey that clinches the case for evolution, beyond any reasonable doubt."

Explore the foundations and modern applications of genetics with Concepts of Genetics. This comprehensive textbook emphasizes the core concepts and techniques of genetic analysis, making complex topics understandable for introductory genetics courses. The 12th edition has been updated with emerging topics, such as CRISPR-Cas and posttranscriptional gene regulation in eukaryotes, as well as ethical considerations in Genetics, Ethics, and Society and Case Study features. With the accompanying Mastering Genetics online platform, students can actively engage with the course material and become effective problem solvers.

Explore the connection between genes and traits in Genetics: Analysis and Principles by Professor Robert J. Brooker. Learn about the scientific method used by geneticists and delve into 36 text-integrated experiments that uncover the "how" and "why" behind important research. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in genetics and the fascinating discoveries that have led to our current understanding of the field.

A young scientist named Watson recounts the thrilling story of him and his colleague Crick's race against other world-class researchers to identify the structure of DNA - the molecule of life. Their breakthrough earned them a Nobel Prize and revolutionized biochemistry. With great gifts and very human ambitions, Watson's honest account captures the flavor of their work and the bitter rivalries of brilliant scientists.

Explore the fascinating world of evolutionary thought with this classic exposition. The author offers a gene’s eye view of evolution, placing the importance on the units of information that persist, and viewing organisms as vehicles for their replication. This powerful and stylistically brilliant work galvanized the biology community, generating much debate and stimulating whole new areas of research. This 40th anniversary edition includes a new epilogue from the author discussing the continuing relevance of these ideas in evolutionary biology today, as well as the original prefaces and foreword. Join the millions of readers worldwide who have fallen in love with The Selfish Gene.