RECOMMENDED SCIENCE READINGS

 

If you’re looking for interesting science-related reading for the summer, I’d like to make a few suggestions.  The first two are required reading for Bio212 [genetics]; if you read them, be sure to highlight them so you can review before quizzes:

 

 

FINDING DARWIN’S GOD: by Kenneth Miller.  Excellent discussion of how we can have evolution and God.  Very interesting reading, despite what you might think!  If you're interested in evolution, or concerned about putting religion and Darwin together, this is a must!  Required reading for bio212, as well as for Dr. Kay’s “Science & Religion” class. Buy.com


SEVEN DAUGHTERS OF EVE: by Brian Sykes.  Historical description of Sykes’ research into human origins.  Interesting read.  Required reading for bio212.
Amazon.com

 

NATURAL OBSESSIONS, BY Natalie Angiers.  Does an excellent job of describing what it’s like to do molecular biology research.  The author follows the laboratories that discovered cancer genes. One of my favorites!!  Every biologist should read! ISBN: 0395924723  Amazon.com

 

IN THE NAME OF EUGENICS, BY Kevles:  The definitive history of eugenics.  You've got to be interested in the history of genetics for this one, but if you are, it's a must. Buy.com

 

CLONES AND CLONES, BY Nussbaum:  An excellent set of essays on cloning.  Only for those truly interested in learning more about the controversy surrounding cloning.

 

THE DARWIN AWARDS:  The Darwin awards are stories of “individuals who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it in a sublimely idiotic fashion”.  Quite a hoot! 

 

GALILEO’S DAUGHTER: Historical account of Galileo’s life.  Fascinating insights not only into Galileo, but also into mathematics, astronomy, the Vatican of the 17th century, Plague, and more. Buy.com

 

ARE WE HARDWIRED? THE ROLE OF GENES IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR:  Very interesting treatment of the topic.  Presents quite a bit of science in an easily understandable manner. Amazon.com

 

THE NEW KILLER DISEASES by Levy and Fischetti.  Describes our experience with SARS, Ebola, Mad Cow, influenza… 

 

GERMS by Miller et al.  History of bioterrorism.