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About this book
&i;Coming to Life&o; is a remarkable journey through developmental biology to reveal the current state of knowledge of the microscopic world of cells, in particular in relation to the creation of animal life. Leading the reader step-by-step through groundbreaking discoveries, Nusslein-Volhard provides answers to some of the most intriguing questions of science, explains the genetic mechanisms that influence adult development, and shares insights into the ethical standards society must uphold in the face of new scientific discoveries. In a text which examines crucial issues with beguiling simplicity, she leads us to understand why children look like their parents, how an embryonic cell knows to become an eye rather than an eyelash, why twins can be identical, or profoundly different, and why bacteria are sexless. She shows that cancer is a genetic mutation, why cloning is genetically unsuccessful, and why 'designer babies' are scientifically problematic.
Illustrated with the author's own hand-drawn diagrams, the book provides rare insight into the passionate commitment of a great scientist.
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Biography
Christiane Nusslein-Volhard was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1995 for work in genetic research leading a greater understanding of human biology and the prevention of human birth defects. Recognized around the world as one of the premier authorities in genetics and cell biology, Nusslein-Volhard is Director of Molecular Biology at the Max-Planck Institute in Germany.
Out of Print
By: Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard
166 pages, 55 illus
'... a must read not only for the educated layman but for scientists in general.' Gunter Blobel, Nobel Laureate '... required reading for anyone wishing to understand where we stand in modern biology and how we got there.' Marc Kirschner, Harvard Medical School 'It is unusual for a Nobel-Prize level scientist to write a book aimed at the intelligent laymen. It is evern more unusual when that book succeeds to convey the remarkable progress of biological science so clearly and concisely. Read it to discover what the current excitement in biology is all about?' Bruce Alberts, University of California, San Francisco