内容简介
1953 witnessed a breakthrough in biological science, therevelation of the double helical structure of DNA. Since theoriginal revelation by James Watson and Francis Crick, knowledge ofthe structure and function of DNA has dramatically changed scienceand society. This volume explores the dramatic impact that thisdiscovery has had on our lives. Beginning with the story of thediscovery of the double helix, the collection looks at DNAfingerprinting and its impact on forensic and legal medicine; theextraction of ancient DNA from archaeological and palaeontologicalremains; the ethical implications arising from the geneticknowledge encoded in our DNA; the complex role of DNA in the cause,detection and treatment of cancer; the debates surrounding thepotential commercialisation of genetically modified crops; theemotive field of reproductive medicine; and finally how the geneticbasis of developmental language disorders is teaching us more abouthow humans communicate.