Tara Rodden Robinson & Lisa Spock 
Genetics For Dummies 

Your no-nonsense guide to genetics

With rapid advances in genomic technologies, genetic testing has become a key part of both clinical practice and research. Scientists are constantly discovering more about how genetics plays a role in health and disease, and healthcare providers are using this information to more accurately identify their patients’ particular medical needs. Genetic information is also increasingly being used for a wide range of non-clinical purposes, such as exploring one’s ancestry.

This new edition of Genetics For Dummies serves as a perfect course supplement for students pursuing degrees in the sciences. It also provides science-lovers of all skill levels with easy-to-follow and easy-to-understand information about this exciting and constantly evolving field. This edition includes recent developments and applications in the field of genetics, such as:

* Whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing

* Precision medicine and pharmacogenetics

* Direct-to-consumer genetic testing for health risks

* Ancestry testing

Featuring information on some of the hottest topics in genetics right now, this book makes it easier than ever to wrap your head around this fascinating subject.

Table of Content

Introduction 1

Part 1: The Lowdown on Genetics: Just the Basics 7

Chapter 1: Welcome to Genetics: What’s What and Who’s Who 9

Chapter 2: Basic Cell Biology 21

Chapter 3: Visualize Peas: Discovering the Laws of Inheritance 41

Chapter 4: Law Enforcement: Mendel’s Laws Applied to Complex Traits 57

Part 2: DNA: The Genetic Material 73

Chapter 5: DNA: The Basis of Life 75

Chapter 6: Chromosomes: The Big Picture 91

Chapter 7: Replication: A Copy Machine for DNA 105

Chapter 8: DNA Sequencing: Decoding the Genome 123

Chapter 9: RNA: DNA’s Close Cousin 137

Chapter 10: Translating the Genetic Code 151

Chapter 11: Gene Expression: What a Cute Pair of Genes 165

Part 3: Genetics and Your Health 181

Chapter 12: When Things Go Wrong: Changes in DNA Sequence 183

Chapter 13: Chromosome Disorders: It’s All a Numbers Game 199

Chapter 14: Taking a Closer Look at the Genetics of Cancer 217

Chapter 15: Genetic Counseling, Risk Assessment, and Genetic Testing 235

Chapter 16: Treating Genetic Disorders and Using Genetics to Tailor Treatment 255

Part 4: Genetics and Your World 269

Chapter 17: Tracing Human History and the Future of the Planet 271

Chapter 18: Solving Mysteries Using DNA 287

Chapter 19: Genetic Makeovers: Using Genetic Engineering to Change the Genome 307

Chapter 20: Giving Ethical Considerations Their Due 327

Part 5: The Part of Tens 339

Chapter 21: Ten Defining Events in Genetics 341

Chapter 22: Ten Hot Issues in Genetics 349

Glossary 359

Index 365

About the author

Tara Rodden Robinson, Ph D, was an instructor and Postdoctoral Fellow in Genetics in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University. She has also been an instructor at Oregon State University.

Lisa Cushman Spock, Ph D, CGC, is a clinical genomics specialist and former genetics counselor at Indiana University School of Medicine.