The Gene Masters

med0303genemasters_A.gif In her new book, The Gene Masters, Ingrid Wickelgren tells the lively story of the race to sequence and control the human genome.

The Human Genome Project was launched in the mid-1980s, and with it came a new era of science: One fiercely divided between those fighting for patents and profits, and those fighting for free exchange of information. In her new book, The Gene Masters, Ingrid Wickelgren tells the lively story of the race to sequence and control the human genome. In a style that's often elegant and exciting, she chronicles one of the most important scientific ventures in recent history with the right mix of action, drama, and good hard science. Those who already know the science will enjoy it as a wonderfully entertaining story of with colorful characters, and a good refresher course on genetics. Those new to the science will find it to be a clear, readable overview of human genetics and the genome project - one that shows the importance of the science and the challenges each researcher faced (and it's a lot more fun to read than any genetics textbook).