Product Description
As the world of biotechnology has grown in leaps and bounds, so too have the career opportunities. But the choices can be daunting. What types of jobs are available? How do you get your foot in the door? What will your job entail if you become a Preclinical Project Manager or a Process Scientist ? What's the difference between biotech and pharma? Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of careers in the life science industry, with all their ups and downs. The author, Toby Freedman, Ph.D., has conducted interviews with hundreds of key players in the industry, who provide first hand explanations of their day to day roles and responsibilities, and offer key insights into how they landed those jobs in the first place. Careers in everything from discovery research to venture capital are covered in detail. Each chapter includes valuable sections on preparing yourself for a prospective career: educational requirements and personality characteristics needed; recommendations of books, magazines, and Web site resources; and issues to consider regarding salary and compensation. The book also includes interviewing and job searching tips, as well as suggestions on writing a resume specifically for industry. Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development is an essential guide for science graduates and medical, business, legal, high tech or engineering professionals. With discussions of job security, future trends, and potential career paths, even those already working in industry will find helpful information on how to take advantage of opportunities available within their own companies and elsewhere. This book will help you make wiser and more informed decisions about what role you would like to play in the biotechnology and drug development industry. Related Titles from the Publisher Lab Dynamics: Management Skills for Scientists ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Buy several copies to help friends focus on patient care
I bought Toby's book out of interest first then realized I need several copies.

My expertise is Business Management and Marketing across the board so I read the Marketing section first and found it concise and superbly written. It described all the elements of marketing as applied to all companies from large businesses where one tends to specialize to small startups where one does everything. It works for those in transition between departments as well as for developing personnel.

My passion is improvements in patient care, so I am always trying to break down the silos and develop a more patient centric approach. The book is one tool that helped me understand the viewpoints of others and get help from experts in different medical specialties.

Naturally I passed on my book in the second week, now I need more so I can read the other chapters properly myself as well as donate a few.


Robert Furniss

AMAZING BOOK!!!
I had been looking for quite a long time now, a book that would help me understand what the jobs in the pharmaceutical industry were and what the responsibilities in each one of them were.
This book does it all!
It has a ton of information in it and it is very easy to read!
Congrats to the writer, Toby Freedman, she has made it simple for all of us!

It is the one!!!!
For those in life science field who are feeling trapped and searching for alternative career opportunities outside academia, I highly recommend this one. Compare to numerous career counseling books out there, "Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development" (COBDD) is the most informative book I have ever read. Instead of putting lots of weight on self assessment and how to write a resume (don't get me wrong, they are also very important) COBDD is about facts, lots of facts and details about most of the career paths in Bio-pharma industry. After reading the book, you will find out that "industry" is not just a word opposite to "academia". It is not a mystery anymore. You will get an in-depth understanding of a career you want to pursue. The book is well organized in chapters regarding different career path. You can read from the beginning to re-evaluate your decision of switching (knowing what you're getting into and giving a second thought is always the right thing to do before starting anything new) or go directly to the one you have been thinking of for a while. For each career path, you will not only receive a general description of the field, but also detailed information of all aspects, well laid in different sections and sub-sections--just to name a few of my favorites, "a typical day in XXX", "pros and cons of the job", "salary and compensation", "career tracks in XXX", "landing a job in XXX". A really good hand book for job opportunities in Biotech and Drug development it is!

Job Hunter's Must-Have Resource
In graduate school, I always knew I wanted to leave academia and find a job in the biotechnology industry.I started reading books like "Finding Your North", "Guide to Nontraditional Careers in Science", and "Leaving the Ivory Tower: Alternative Careers in Science".These books were helpful, but they were mainly informational interviews from experienced people.Their stories were inspiring and it gave me a good idea of what areas I might be interested in.
However, what sets "Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development" apart is the extensive research done on each career and how they are connected.For someone just graduating, it was good to know that there several opportunities that can lead to each career path.The book also outlines the most common paths taken by those in the industry.This book is exhaustive in it's description of the day-to-day, advantages/disadvantages, and what it takes to be successful in each career.
As a job hunter, the most helpful sections were the descriptions of career tracks in each area and how to land a job in that area (Legal, Operations, Marketing, etc).If you are looking for a job in this tough economy, this book is a MUST-HAVE RESOURCE.

The Best Way to Learn about Careers in Biopharma!
This book is so multifaceted.It describes very clearly how the various divisions and departments of biopharma fit together.You learn the requirements for each career.You learn about suggested personal traits, comparative salaries, job security, do's and don'ts, pros and cons of each type of position, and how to switch careers within biopharma.You read lists of personal attributes which would contraindicate a particular career choice.You read about a typical day-in-the-life of various positions....

I've read or perused six Biopharma career books, and this is the best one I've found by far!I can't imagine how it could be any more comprehensive, helpful, and easy-to-read! ... Read more

Product Description
Acclaimed by students and instructors, "Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA" is now in its fourth edition, bringing it thoroughly up to date with the latest findings and the latest industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications. At the same time, the text maintains all the hallmarks that have made it a bestseller. These include its straightforward, jargon-free writing style and its extensive use of figures that help students make sense of complex biological systems and processes. These features not only enable students to grasp core concepts, but also create the foundation needed to support their own research and development work using recombinant DNA technology. This fourth edition features greatly expanded coverage of the latest innovations in DNA sequencing techniques, therapeutics, vaccines, transgenic plants, and transgenic animals. Moreover, readers will find nearly 240 new figures to help them grasp all the latest concepts and applications.With its broad range of topics, Molecular Biotechnology is adaptable to different upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses emphasizing particular aspects of modern biotechnology. For example, instructors can easily tailor the content to courses focusing on the fundamentals of biotechnology as well as courses dedicated to medical, agricultural, environmental, or industrial applications. New edition presents 645 figures and 113 tables throughout the text, hundreds of which illustrate complex systems and processes. It includes chapter summaries highlighting key points. It contains references to the literature in each chapter facilitating detailed investigations of all topics covered in the text. It features end-of-chapter review questions enabling students to assess their knowledge. There are updated examples illustrating the latest concepts and applications. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Excellent book
As for the book, it is absolutely an excellent one. up-to-minute edition, cut-edged contents...etc. But please note that this is a graduate-level textbook, and it could be a little bit difficult for undergraduatees.(Acutally it's also a little bit difficult for graduatees)

The price is fair enough. I found the same book in my univ. bookstore. Even the used ones cost 90 USD. It's a luck thing you can buy a brand new one with less money here.

The only pity is the shipping of Amazon, which made the book a tiny bit out-of-shape. But that's not a big problem.

NOTE that please don't buy the paper-covered edtion, although it's incredible cheap. The paper-covered edtion is actually the 1st edtion published maybe 20-30 years ago. You don't really want to pay 40 bucks for an ancient book which no one would like to use nowadays, right?

Didn't want it
Amazon mis-directed me to this book, apparently, because why on earth would I want a molecular biotechnology book from 1994???

It's insane.So I sent it back.

Love this Book
Ever since I entered graduate school, I was against buying text books, but this book was for a 500 level class (read: undergrad), so I knew I'd have to get it if I was going to pass the class. I also wanted to learn more about biotechnology and the book was moderately priced, so I got it. It was so easy to read, and understand, and sometimes I read it just because it was interesting. If you are interested in learning more about biotechnology, then this book is a great place to start!

great
I found the the book in a very good shape. I'm very much satisfied.

Fascinating material
I used this book for one of my favorite classes in college on biotechnology.It will show you the cool side of science and all of the neat things you can do with biology and DNA.The level is low enough to where you only need a minimal background to understand it, basic biology classes and preferably genetics.After completing the book you should be excited about the future of biotech, and you will have some understanding about how it works. ... Read more

Product Description

Thoroughly updated with practical information on the latest developments in the biotechnology field, this popular book provides the tools, practice, and basic knowledge for success in the biotech workforce.

 The Biotechnology Century and Its Workforce, An Introduction to Genes and Genomes, History of Genetic Manipulation: Recombinant DNA Technology, Proteins as Products, Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology, DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic Analysis, Bioremediation, Aquatic Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Regulatory Biotechnology, Ethics and Biotechnology

Market Description: Intended for readers interested in learning the basics of biotechnology.

Customer Reviews (4)

Amazon Purchase of Biotechnology Book
I recently purchased a book (Introduction to Biotechnology) through Amazon. The experience was great. There were no problems and my book was in "new" condition as advertised. In addition to saving a lot of money, I appreciate the fast delivery which is allowing me time to study before class begins this fall. Thank you!

item in very good shape
The biotechnology book arrived in just a few days and it is in very good shape.So that really helped me.

good textbook for teaching both nonmajors and majors in biology
As a profesor, I use this book in my nonmajors Biology and Society class where it functions well to introduce nonscientist to interesting aspects of biotechnology and the important issues surrounding the science.I also use it in my upper-level genetics class where it works as a nice introduction to biotechnology (and review, in some cases) allowing us to delve deeper into the science and issues using assigned papers. I like it a lot, as do my students; and compared with most textbooks it doesn't cost much. I wish it had more color photographs.

How to find a job and make money in biotechnology
The focus of this book is what kinds of jobs and products can be found in the area of applied biology. The science and technology part is found in most of the modern biology texts, but what is lacking is a sense of how to apply that understanding to create new products and solve human problems.

This book is a little pricey and if you are only interested in the science and technology aspect you will be better served by buying a paperback edition of one of the better introductory biology texts. The price of several of the paperback intros to biology are less than this book, have many color plates and in depth coverage more three times the length of this book.

It's that focus on jobs and products that provides the justification for publishing this book. Hopefully it will provoke the authors of the major intro to biology texts to provide more material on where their students can later go for employment and how they can, by giving examples, go on to create products that improve the human condition.

If the reader emerges from their encounter with this book by thinking with an employment and products mindset towards the science and technology of biology than it will have fulfilled (in my mind) what appears to be it purpose. ... Read more

Product Description
The definitive biotechnology industry primer, now in its 3rd edition. Building Biotechnology provides a comprehensive fundamentals-based overview of the commercialization of biotechnology. Expanding on this foundation to ensure a practical appreciation of operational issues in the biotechnology industry, Building Biotechnology adds real-world examples on topics such as the hidden pitfalls of common operational decisions; practical considerations in selecting business models and funding options; strategies to overcome developmental failures; and, methods to leverage options to strengthen development plans. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Clear and concise
There are many books devoted to the biotechnology sector. This one stands out in that it covers the subject in clear terms, providing a primer for readers seeking to understand the components that drive the industry. ... Read more

Product Description
A fascinating glimpse inside the life-and-death business of biotechnology.

"A tour-de-force for anyone who is interested in the biotech industry. I applaud the enormous achievement of Cynthia Robbins-Roth." -Frederick Frank, Senior Managing Director & Vice Chair, Lehman Brothers

"From Alchemy to IPO tells the dramatic story of this revolutionary industry as only an insider can." -George Rathmann, President and CEO, ICOS Corporation, Chairman Emeritus, Amgen

Written by a well-known industry insider, From Alchemy to IPO addresses the coming-of-age of biotech products and companies and traces the history of biotechnology from its early inception in the seventies to today's heyday of new solutions and breakthrough treatments. It describes the amazing entrepreneurial trail of product development, novel business models, and critical trials that eventually pave the way to market. This is the first book to accurately record the inner workings of an industry-biotechnology-that's on the verge of living up to its monumental promise to change the world as we know it.Amazon.com Review
Despite unnerving swings in individual stock valuations--orperhaps because of them--many knowledgeable observers still believethe 21st century will ultimately earn its stripes as the Age ofBiotech. Cynthia Robbins-Roth, named by Forbes magazine as oneof the industry's top insiders, certainly is among them. And inFrom Alchemy to IPO, she persuasively argues investors bettertake heed because they ain't seen nothin' yet. "Most of us think ofbiotech as medicine or genetically engineered crops," writesRobbins-Roth. But in the very near future, she continues, it also "maymake it possible for humans to reach the stars and to change theenvironment on other planets." Think that's far-fetched? She saysdevelopments like this are already in early stages and, in adeliberately proselytizing manner, traces their roots to the currentbusiness nitty-gritty, finally focusing on the long-term moneymakingpotential. "The biotech world will never be an easy place forinvestors," she cautions, but with hundreds of ongoing projects"poised to power into the marketplace," there will be plenty of"opportunities for investors and employees alike."Recommended forreaders seeking an informed tutorial on this field of thefuture. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

decent primer for those starting in the industry
the author's tone was a bit weird at times, and the organization was poor at times, but nonetheless a decent basic primer on biotech innovations for those starting out business or investing in the industry

Very quick and great condition
Thanks to the Owen's Reads for sending me a truly Like New book that is a great read. I'm using this for an online Management class, as if textbooks weren't dry enough! I was pleasantly surprised by the novel-style writing of this book that made all the facts and figures engaging, bringing them to life. Best read I've had to do classes all year!

Execellent Resource for Biotech's Complexities!
I very much enjoyed how this identifies to the reader the back office complexities (made simple and easy to understand) that you never hear about and the process, including time it takes for a molecule to make it to market (assuming it does, which this book also explains well).

Overall, an excellent resource to anyone interested in the Biotech Industry's business end and investment strategies.

Good introductory text and overview of the industry
I read From Alchemy to IPO for an MBA course on entrepreneurialism in the pharmaceutical industry. Given my background (undergraduate business, financial analyst role, limited in-depth scientific knowledge), I found this book to be a very useful and balanced guide to both the business and technical aspects of biotechnology.

Robbins-Roth includes enough information on initial public offerings (IPOs) and merger activity among biotech firms to warm the hearts of the most resolute business student, but the drug discovery and development process is also covered in sufficient detail to give the lay reader an understanding for the operational challenges faced by firms in this sector.

Add to this the competent yet necessarily superficial descriptions of more esoteric terms such as monoclonal antibodies and combinatorial chemistry, and you have a solid text that covers the industry and its ongoing challenges very well.

Brilliant Overview
This is a great overview of the world of biotech.The author explains the science with clarity and enthusiasm and the introduction this book provides to the corporate side of biotech is also very interesting and well written. ... Read more

Product Description
Biotechnology instructors require currency, sound pedagogy and a brief objective introduction to a broad range of topics and technologies. Students need an accessible and clear presentation along with hot topics and real-world examples. Susan Barnum meets all these requirements and needs in this second edition of her enormously popular text, BIOTECHNOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION, Second Edition.Barnum offers a broad view of biotechnology, integrating historical and modern topics. She then describes the processes and methods used to manipulate living organisms or the substances and products from these organisms for medical, agricultural, and industrial purposes. Using case studies and examples, the author rounds out discussions by detailing the technology and how it is applied, including discussions on the implications of biotechnology in such areas as gene therapy, medicine, agriculture, marine biology, and forensics.More complex and difficult-to-teach topics are given special coverage, by providing outlines, bulleted lists, and tables for simplifying and clarifying topics such as immunology, construction of recombinant DNA molecules, relevant lab techniques, monoclonal antibodies, and plant transformation/regeneration. Besides the addition of color, this new edition places more information in boxes to focus on the process of science, the accomplishments of researchers in the field, and real-world examples of biotechnology. In addition, Susan Barnum extends her already excellent objective coverage of the ethical and social implications of biotechnology by focusing on the most relevant topics in a sidebar in each chapter. Commercial, economical, and medical effects of current biotechnology practices are also made clearer and more relevant for students. ... Read more

Product Description
This self-teaching guide explains the basic concepts and fundamentals in all the major subtopics of biotechnology.The content advances logically from the basics of molecular and cellular biology to more complex topics such as DNA, reproductive cloning, experimental procedures, infectious diseases, immunology, the Human Genome Project, new drug discoveries, and genetic disorders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Good value for money!
This book is well written and good value for money. It provides a lively introduction to the red hot biotechnology for beginners. Complex concepts of cell structures and functions are clearly explained. The summary and quiz of each chapter are particularly useful. I enjoy most reading about the interesting topics of immunotherapy, stem cell, proteomics and various medical applications of biotechnology.

Biotechnology Demystified
Biotechnology is a term that is well heard of, but nor correctly understood. For those wanting to get closer without the pain of all the technical details, this is a perfect way to do it. A good buy for the knowledge that it offers.

Good Review of Biotechnology
This book presents a very good review and overview of biotechnology. The best feature of the book is that it's simple to understand. Biotechnology is still a rapidly developing field, and there are not many textbooks or reference books out there. This is one of the good biotechnology books that we have.
Recommended.

Not quite demystified
I have a very basic background in chemistry and biology so I was looking for a book to fill in the gaps; something short of a college textbook.I am only about 3 chapters through this but I'm disappointed in this book.The level of exposition is not too bad, but the book seems neither well written nor well edited.I've found typos, undefined notation, unexplained terms and just poor explanations.The figures don't seem very good for explaining the concepts and processes (eg, cell division) that really need good diagrams.In some cases they are borrowed from other books a little carelessly.

It's too bad -- I think this is a good topic and the author generally chooses an appropriate level of detail, but it just wasn't written carefully enough.

What a disappointment
Just to share my experience: Teaching myself biotechnology I had hoped to get a teaching help with this book andgot quite confused after working it through. The MC questions are really misleading. It s a pity... Fortunately, I have had solid knowledge about biotech before reading.
The Series Editors should better ask leading professionals for a review before publishing. ... Read more

Product Description
Ninfa/Ballou/Benore is a solid biochemistry lab manual, dedicated to developing research skills in students, allowing them to learn techniques and develop the organizational approaches necessary to conduct laboratory research.

Ninfa/Ballou/Benore focuses on basic biochemistry laboratory techniques with a few molecular biology exercises, a reflection of most courses which concentrate on traditional biochemistry experiments and techniques. The manual also includes an introduction to ethics in the laboratory, uncommon in similar manuals. Most importantly, perhaps, is the authors' three-pronged approach to encouraging students to think like a research scientist: first, the authors introduce the scientific method and the hypothesis as a framework for developing conclusive experiments; second, the manual's experiments are designed to become increasingly complex in order to teach more advanced techniques and analysis; finally, gradually, the students are required to devise their own protocols. In this way, students and instructors are able to break away from a "cookbook" approach and to think and investigate for themselves.

Suitable for lower-level and upper-level courses; Ninfa spans these courses and can also be used for some first-year graduate work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Biochemistry
The lab manual was shipped in a timely manner! It was in excellent condition on the inside and the outside! Will buy from this seller in the future!!!!

A decent lab manual for Biochemistry
I used this book as a lab manual for my Biochemistry class in college. The book itself is well organized in most respects. However, there are some parts that were well explained in the manual when it came to trying to answer the problems at the end of each experiment. Some of the examples given in the pre-lab didn't apply to the questions being asked so it would lead our class to having to nag the professor for some answers on how to solve the problem. Overall though the techniques employed are relative and effective when it comes to the biochemistry field.

i sold this book after i graduated college
now i'm in a field where i wish dearly that I still had it. it's pretty general, and that's why i like it. ... Read more

Product Description
Throughout history, humankind has pursued means to improve the yield of crop plants through selective plant breeding and hybridization. Today, genetic manipulation provides a powerful tool for directing plant breeding. But how is genetic manipulation implemented? What benefits can it offer? And what are the broader issues surrounding the use of this technology?

The second edition of Plant Biotechnology: The Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants presents a balanced, objective exploration of the technology behind genetic manipulation, and the application of this technology to the growth and cultivation of plants. The book describes the techniques underpinning genetic manipulation in a clear, lucid manner, and this influential tool is used in practice.
... Read more

Product Description
In "Environmental Biotechnology-Principles and Applications", the authors connect the many different facets of environmental biotechnology. The book develops the basic concepts and quantitative tools in the first six chapters, which comprise the principles. The text consistently calls upon those principles as it describes the applications in Chapters 7 through 16. The theme is that all microbiological processes behave in ways that are understandable, predictable, and unified. At the same time, each application has its own special features that must be understood. The special features do not overturn or sidestep the common principles. Instead, they complement the principles and are most profitably understood in light of the principles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Right price for a decent quality
The quality of the pages is not great, but the book itself is helpful and great!
Seller is really fast!

great resource
R&M is a great resource if you are interested in learning more about the biological aspects of weastewater engineering.

Excelent Book!!!!
I used this book during my Master in Science (Biofilm modelling). The theory contained in this book is up to date and every chapter in it contains valuable information. It was of great help, chapters are well organized and it covers all important aspects of environmental biotechnology.
A must have for every person related to environmental engineering or sciences. ... Read more

Product Description
Some of humankind's greatest tools have been forged in the research laboratory. Who could argue that medical advances like antibiotics, blood transfusions, and pacemakers have not improved the quality of people's lives? But with each new technological breakthrough there comes an array of consequences, at once predicted and unpredictable, beneficial and hazardous. Outcry over recent developments in the reproductive and genetic sciences has revealed deep fissures in society's perception of biotechnical progress. Many are concerned that reckless technological development, driven by consumerist impulses and greedy entrepreneurialism, has the potential to radically shift the human condition - and not for the greater good. "Biotechnology and the Human Good" builds a case for a stewardship deeply rooted in Judeo-Christian theism to responsibly interpret and assess new technologies in a way that answers this concern. The authors jointly recognize humans not as autonomous beings but as ones accountable to each other, to the world they live in, and to God.They argue that to question and critique how fields like cybernetics, nanotechnology, and genetics might affect our future is not anti-science, anti-industry, or anti-progress, but rather a way to promote human flourishing, common sense, and good stewardship. A synthetic work drawing on the thought of a physician, ethicists, and a theologian, "Biotechnology and the Human Good" reminds us that although technology is a powerful and often awe-inspiring tool, it is what lies in the heart and soul of who wields this tool that truly makes the difference in our world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

We can...but should we?
Biotechnology and the Human Good is an important work by experts in their respective areas. The world is changing at breakneck speeds. We can now do things with the human body thought impossible a generation ago. There has been an explosion of genetic information. But the ever important, though muted question in our culture, is should we? This book offers solid, carefully reasoned advice for a way forward in a manner that treats all people with dignity and respect. Highly recommended!

Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower's Guide for the Journey

Essential for college-level science libraries
Great scientific and technological advancements benefiting mankind have come from biotech labs - but also some of the greatest ethical concerns have accompanied them, unfortunately. BIOTECHNOLOGY AND THE HUMAN GOOD charts the latest arguments over recent developments in reproductive and genetic science, building a case for stewardship routed in Judeo-Christian theism. What is science's responsibility in promoting the greater good? BIOTECHNOLOGY AND THE HUMAN GOOD is essential for college-level science libraries; particularly those interested in some of the religious foundations of bioethical concerns. ... Read more

Product Description
A state-of-the-art account of research in algal production and utilization.The book explores in detail all steps of the subject, from the preparation of stock cultures to the growth in large outdoor ponds.Dr. Becker provides a compilation of the different methods employed worldwide for the artificial cultivation of different microalgae, including recipes for culture media, description of outdoor and indoor cultivation systems, as well as harvesting and processing methods. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Essential background reading
This book is a clear, concise summary of work in the general field of microalgae through about 1994.As such, it is required reading for all those looking to use algae for biofuels or specialty nutrients, etc.Don't look for the latest information; that's not the purpose of this volume.It does however give a very thorough and solid base from which to build.The level of writing is appropriate for advanced undergraduates and above; unlike some authors, Becker has a sense of humor that is both surprising and delightful to find in a scientific text.For me, a non-biologist, this was exactly what I needed in my position as an officer of an algae-based biofuel company. ... Read more

Product Description
A must have for all Biotechnology Students and technicians.It walks readers through the minefield of laboratory calculations, helping to prevent the types of errors which could mean the loss of weeks of work.

Key Features:
* Topics range from basic scientific notations to complex subjects like nucleic acid chemistry and recombinant DNA technology
* Each chapter includes a brief explanation of the concept and covers necessary definitions, theory and rationale for each type of calculation
* Recent applications of the procedures and computations in clinical, academic, industrial and basic research laboratories are cited throughout the text

New to this Edition:
* Updated and increased coverage of real time PCR and the mathematics used to measure gene expression
* More sample problems in every chapter for readers to practice concepts
... Read more

Product Description
(Joseph Henry Press) Revised edition aims to help readers understand and take part in biotechnology debates. Topics include how biotechnology came about, tools in the genetic engineering workshop, biotechnology and the body, biotechnology on the farm, biotechnology and the environment, ethical issues, and more. For clinicians. Previous edition: c1997. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

The cutting edge of biotech's promise
Eric Grace is a science writer with a Ph.D. in zoology: his BIOTECHNOLOGY UNZIPPED: PROMISES AND REALITIES may sound technical but is surprisingly accessible, appearing in a revised second edition to provide chapters covering health, environmental concerns, and biotech applications. The first edition, which appeared in 1997, was on the cutting edge of biotech's promise: since then much has happened, and this second edition updates details for the latest studies and issues.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

A competent and readable overview
I bought this book because I wanted a refresher on Molecular Biology.The first half of the text delivers this, explaining key concepts of DNA/RNA, the role of genes and the function of gene expression in the creation of proteins.Upon these understandings the author builds an explanation of genetic engineering.He explains techniques of recombinant DNA, the relevance of stem cells and modern gene therapy.The second half of the book was of less relevance to me, but if you need a journalist's eye view of the whole of biotech, sweeping across everything from cell biology to bioethics, Eric Grace does a reasonable job of providing it.Pro:Competently written and clearly illustrated.Con: Breadth but limited depth.

Great intro for the layperson
After seeing so much in the news about biotechnology, I was in search of an introductory book that would explain the basics of genetic manipulation.This book starts from the very basics--how are genes related to DNA and chromosomes, what are enzymes and proteins, then more sophisticated concepts such as gene splicing and monoclonal antibodies.

While this book won't make anyone an expert scientist, the text and diagrams are clear and concise.I read articles about biotech in the newspapers and business magazines, and this book is a useful primer for those in search of further detail.

After the overall introduction, the author describes biotech applications in several fields, which become a bit of a laundary list after awhile.I would have found fewer, in-depth case studies more interesting.Nevertheless, if you're looking for an informative introduction to biotech, I highly recommend this book.

compelling
BIOTECHNOLOGY UNZIPPED is the most compelling evaluation ofbiotechnology I have read since Harsanyi & Hutton's GENETICPROPHECY of almost 20 years ago. What makes this book soinsightful isthe "tradeoffs" perspective that Grace brings to the subject. In every instance where a particular technique is eitherindevelopment or on the market, the possibilities for selective breeding, or genetic engineering, or composite materials, all hold both a promise and a peril.

Grace, who has a Ph.D. in Zoology andconsiderable experience as ascience writer, attempts to provideenough critical information ineach case so that the reader will get asense of whatconsiderations are involved in any particular"biotechnologysolution". What we learn about biotechnologyfrom him is thatevery biotechnology decision has the followingcharacteristics:

* Costs and revenues (developments cost$millions, so the goal is profits) * Winners and losers(the rich could get lucky, the poor and vulnerable may not)* Benefits and detriments (solutions generate unintended &unwanted consequences) * Enthusiasts and detractors (argumentsarise on all sides of biotechnology issues)

The reasonthat the public is so ambivalent about biotechnology isthat itssupporters have been so inept at making their case.Biotechnologyadvocates seem to think that their's is just aproblem of an"uninformed public" whom they can re- assure becausetheyhave "the facts". They obviously don't appreciate the most important principle of new-age public relations, namely, "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care".

What Grace shows is that the public does have cause to beconcerned.There are no simple problems, no silver bullets, and nofinalsolutions, even if biotechnology boosters pretend there are.Ifbiotechnology advocates become willing to address theseconcerns, ANDlearn to manage the expectations of theirstakeholders, then they canbegin to earn the respect that willotherwise continue to elude them.Grace's book helps clarify allof this. Well done!

Not That Great Of A Book
I bought and read this book for my biotechnology class and I really did not like it very much. There are certain parts that are understandable. But much of the book was just blah, blah, blah. If you have to take a class onbiotechnology, or just want to read a biotechnology book, this fits you. Ifyou really don't want to read these kind of books, I would not recommendit. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed to inform and inspire the next generation of plant biotechnologists

Plant Biotechnology and Genetics explores contemporary techniques and applications of plant biotechnology, illustrating the tremendous potential this technology has to change our world by improving the food supply. As an introductory text, its focus is on basic science and processes. It guides students from plant biology and genetics to breeding to principles and applications of plant biotechnology. Next, the text examines the critical issues of patents and intellectual property and then tackles the many controversies and consumer concerns over transgenic plants. The final chapter of the book provides an expert forecast of the future of plant biotechnology.

Each chapter has been written by one or more leading practitioners in the field and then carefully edited to ensure thoroughness and consistency. The chapters are organized so that each one progressively builds upon the previous chapters. Questions set forth in each chapter help students deepen their understanding and facilitate classroom discussions.

Inspirational autobiographical essays, written by pioneers and eminent scientists in the field today, are interspersed throughout the text. Authors explain how they became involved in the field and offer a personal perspective on their contributions and the future of the field. The text's accompanying CD-ROM offers full-color figures that can be used in classroom presentations with other teaching aids available online.

This text is recommended for junior- and senior-level courses in plant biotechnology or plant genetics and for courses devoted to special topics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an ideal reference for practitioners. ... Read more

Product Description
Failure to follow one's own procedures is the single most-cited violation of the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulations. In this workshop in a book, Dr. Paul Sanghera, the best selling author of several books in science and technology, presents cohesive, concise, yet comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in context of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), quality assurance, and quality control. Those who can benefit from this book include students and professionals in biotechnology, health science, and other industries: especially those who are trying to meet the FDA regulations on SOPs. This is a general book for the beginners to develop a basic understanding about SOPs. Also the busy executives and managers will find this book useful for a quick introduction to SOPs. The material is presented in the format of lecture notes, which are self-contained, comprehensive within the scope of the book, and presented in an easy-to-follow logical learning sequence. All concepts are explained from scratch with enough examples and exercises. Example SOP templates are provided to put the concepts in practical context.Topics Include:*Introduction to SOPs*Effective SOPs*Producing Effective SOPs*Living with Approved SOPs: following, monitoring, and controlling SOPs*Process Based Approach to SOPs*Solutions to Self Test Exercises* Example SOP Templates*Glossary of terms ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One of a Very Few Fine Books on SOPs
The need for writing and implementing effective SOPs in a whole spectrum of fields is on an exponential rise. Unfortuntely, there aren't many SOP books available in the market. This book by Dr. Paul Sanghera is one of a very few fine books on SOPs. If you are a beginner in the field of SOPs, this book is your book. It explains the basic SOP concepts from scratch and offers simple examples, exercises, and templates. It's a general book on SOPs that can be used by any reader in any field. It's a good starting point for any professional in any field who wants to start with writing and implementing effective SOPs. Topics covered include: Introduction to SOPs *Effective SOPs *Producing Effective SOPs *Living with Approved SOPs: following, monitoring, and controlling SOPs *Process Based Approach to SOPs *Solutions to Self Test Exercises * Example SOP Templates *Glossary of terms. I specifically like the process based approach to SOPs: very innovative and useful approach. The price is right.

Handbook of SOPs for Good Clinical Practice, Second Edition
This book bt Celin Clive provides quite a few ready to go SOP templates in the clinical field. The templates seem to be consistent with the International standards. The List of SOPs covered include Spnosor/monitor/CRO SOPs, Investigational site SOPs, and Institutional Rebiew Board SOPs. The book also includes some useful forms in the clinical industy. One thing that may concern the reader is that the book is priced very high.
Again, the book is focussed on the clinical industry. If you want a book to learn the basics of writing and implementing effective SOPs that could be applied to any field, begin with Dr. Sanghera's book reviewed above.
There is also another good book on SOPs reviewed below:

SOP Guidelines
This book by D.H. Shah covers SOPs in quite a few areas including Production, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Stores, Engineering, Maintenance and Housekeeping. It also contains SOP templates in these fields. A good collection of SOPs on Tablets & Capsules, Ointments, Quality Control, Liquid Orals, and Sterile Preparations. The book is highly priced, but useful.


... Read more

Product Description

A groundbreaking new exploration of the promises and perils of biotechnology -- and the future of American society.

Biotechnology offers exciting prospects for healing the sick and relieving suffering. But because our growing powers also enable alterations in the workings of the body and mind, they are becoming attractive to healthy people who would just like to look younger, perform better, feel happier, or become more "perfect."

This landmark book -- the product of more than sixteen months of research and reflection by the members of the President's Council on Bioethics -- explores the profound ethical and social consequences of today's biotechnical revolution. Almost every week brings news of novel methods for screening genes and testing embryos, choosing the sex and modifying the behavior of children, enhancing athletic performance, slowing aging, blunting painful memories, brightening mood, and altering basic temperaments. But we must not neglect the fundamental question: Should we be turning to biotechnology to fulfill our deepest human desires?

We want better children -- but not by turning procreation into manufacture or by altering their brains to gain them an edge over their peers. We want to perform better in the activities of life -- but not by becoming mere creatures of chemistry. We want longer lives -- but not at the cost of becoming so obsessed with our own longevity that we care little about future generations. We want to be happy -- but not by taking a drug that gives us happy feelings without the genuine loves, attachments, and achievements that are essential to true human flourishing. As we enjoy the benefits of biotechnology, members of the council contend, we need to hold fast to an account of the human being seen not in material or mechanistic or medical terms but in psychic, moral, and spiritual ones. By grasping the limits of our new powers, we can savor the fruits of the age of biotechnology without succumbing to its most dangerous temptations.

Beyond Therapy takes these issues out of the narrow circle of bioethics professionals and into the larger public arena, where matters of this importance rightly belong.

Customer Reviews (6)

Against the American Brain
I can do no better than quote Carl Elliott writing in Slate:

"As much as it pains me to admit that anything worthwhile could come from a council appointed by the Bush administration, Beyond Therapy is a remarkable document: gracefully written, thoroughly researched, ideologically balanced, and philosophically astute. It will be a benchmark for all future work on the topic."

Garbage of A THEOCRAT
Leon R. Kass, M.D., P.h.D., is chairman of the 'President' George W. Bush's Council on Bioethics. This book was intelligently written without any reference to religion but the whole underlying message was "Do not touch Gods property even if it means healing the sick." These religious fundamentalists will do anything to STUNT us in our pursuits of happiness. This guy is for KEEPING PARALYZED PEOPLE PARALYZED. "Dr." Kass is for KEEPING AMPUTEES AMPUTATED. He's for KEEPING the depressed and suicidal DEPRESSED AND SUICIDAL. Ill spare you the bull and say what Dr. Kass really wants to say - "I want you to follow Jesus with all your heart no matter how much pain and suffering you are in. If God made you depressed than thats how you should be. If God made you paralyzed then thats how you should be. If you are miserable in your existance then thats obviously how God wants you to be and thats how you will be with our new conservative laws that will effectively ban progress to help people". For this is the ONLY real argument you can use to support the banning of progress designed to help humans. - He wants everyone to follow the 'divine' rule of sanctity of life, not quality of life - an ugly ethic for a very stupid man.

A first - rate consideration of the human condition
This work goes well beyond the framework of aPresident's Commission Report to be an informative and challenging inquiry into the current state of biotechnological research , and its philosophical implications. It considers in separate chapters the work that is being done to increase human performance- level in sport, to as it were `produce better children', to prolong and increase the quality of human life, and to bring us closer to ` human happiness'. The tone of this work is measured and responsible, the information presented that which has been weighed and tested. Above all in considering each of these areas the debate is carried on with a broad- minded and deep consideration of the meaning of what it is to be human. Thus there is neither the ` gung-ho' utopianism of certain kinds of over- optimistic futurists, nor the paralyzing pessimism of various over- protectors of their own narrow conceptions of the human past. In each of the areas a balanced discussion provides the reader, not with definite and final answers to the problems and possibilities raised, but with suggestions for thought.
We have long since learned that scientific and technological advances usually have their ` price' in one way or another. Here trade-offs in the various areas are made explicit. The new technology which enables us to decide upon the sex of the child has already let to tremendous imbalances in among other areas, the populations of China and India. The prolonging of life is in many cases the prolonging of what seems to be senseless suffering. The ability to enhance moods through chemical means raises the question of what happiness means when it is devoid of the context of human relationship. The possibility of prolonging life indefinitely raises the question of what this might mean for future generations , and the whole spirit of renewal that the birth of a new generation gives to the world.
Leon Kass a moral thinker of the first order, and the director of this enterprise has often been unjustly accused of being a ' super- conservative' and even' fundamentalist'. Such nonsense does not do justice either to Kass impressive scholarly enterprise, or to the great human feeling and consideration with which he approaches these subject. It seems to me that his position is much closer to that of what might be called a traditional liberal meliorist, who is looking to see how the human condition can be improved without those improvements leading to its radical undermining. His understanding in this sense of the place of the family and of human relations in the good life, and in happiness starkly contrast him with those ivory- tower ` transhumanists' and ` cyber- champions' who would replace mankind with their own solipsistic minds.
This is an important work not for its definite conclusions but for the serious contribution it makes to the ongoing quest of humanity to understand itself and define and realize its varying conceptions of the good life.

A Fundamentalist Christian's View of Biotechnology
This book is just Leon Klass's latest treatise on all the possible (but not necessarily probable) negative aspects of biological research and progress.

Leon Klass was appointed by George W. Bush as his "Bioethics" committee board chairman - and Leon quickly filled the board with other right-wing christian fundamentalists.To assuage concerns that the board was just a group designed to rubber stamp Bush's foregone conservative opinions he added Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn to the board - a well known scientist out of UC Berkeley.

When it became clear that Dr. Blackburn was too vociferous in her defense of the many benefits to humanity of gene therapy, genetic engineering, stem cell research, etc. - Leon Klass fired her from the board.

Leon Klass is well known for his long history of anti-biotechnology diatribes - including one in which he extols the virtues of a short life (saying that people who want a longer, healthier life are greedy and devaluing the experience of life).

If you choose to read this book - be sure to balance the opinions of this extreme Right fundamentalist - with some modern researchers and ethicists - such as Gregory Stock (UCLA), and John Brockman (see the book The Next Fifty Years : Science in the First Half of the Twenty-first Century).

If you care about helping anyone with Cancer, Alzheimers, Diabetes - or any other serious disease that could potentially be helped by stem cell treatments - you probably won't want to adopt the views of Leon Klass.If Leon Klass' opinions continue to be put into law (as was the Stem Cell ban) progress will slow to a crawl in the US biotech industry and many people will die early deaths due to delayed treatments.

The essential reader on bioethics
Comprehensive bodyof work detailing the current debates in biotech ... Read more

Product Description
Biotechnology is the applied science of using living organisms and their by-products for commercial development. It has grown and evolved to such an extent over the past few years that increasing numbers of professionals work in areas directly impacted by it. For the first time, this book offers an exciting and colorful overview of biotechnology for professionals and students in a wide array of the life sciences including: Genetics, Immunology, Biochemistry, Agronomy, Food Science, and Animal Science. This book also appeals to the lay reader without a scientific background who is interested in an entertaining and informative introduction to the key aspects of biotechnology.

Authors Renneberg and Demain discuss the opportunities and risks of individual technologies and provide historical data in easy-to-reference boxes, highlighting key topics. Biotechnology for Beginners covers all major aspects of the field, from food biotechnology to enzymes, genetic engineering, viruses, antibodies, and vaccines, to environmental biotechnology, transgenic animals, analytical biotechnology, and the human genome. This stimulating book is the most user-friendly source for a comprehensive overview of this complex field.

* Accessible to the lay reader without scientific background knowledge
* Coverage includes all facets of biotechnology applications
* Includes articles from the hottest Scientists: Alan Guttmacher, Carl Djerassi, Frances S. Ligler, Jared Diamond,Susan Greenfield, and more
* Each chapter concludes with a summary, annotated references, links to useful Web sites, and appealing review questions
* More than 600 color figures and over 100 illustrations
* Written in an enthusiastic and engaging style unlike other existing theoretical and dry-style biotechnology books ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent book. A must read.
I have just ended to read the book: Prof. Renneberg has written a masterpiece. This book is complete, well written, rich of marvelous figures and, very important, the book is strongly didactic. All the aspects of the modern biotechnology are covered.
I really suggest this book to anyone that wants to learn about modern biotechnology: she/he will not be disappointed. The reading of this book is really pleasant.
Thanks to Prof. Renneberg.

A book for all who want to know what Biotechnology really is
The book "Biotechnology for Beginners" contains a treasure of knowledge for this interdisciplinary area of science, which makes it a unique book. The multitude of scientific areas making up biotechnology has made it a very hard subject to cover in a comprehensible way in a volume that is not too heavy, both physically and reading it. Many textbooks on Biotechnology are biased with too much molecular biology, forgetting that Biotechnology is so much more, which is shown with abundance in this volume. In this book the use of recombinant DNA is integrated in almost all of the chapters, and then it becomes relevant.The book is well suited for students as an introduction into biotechnology, and also for journalists, policy makers, governmental workers and others that get in contact with the wonderful world of microorganisms and higher cells, and what these are able to do for each of us.

On 360 pages the author and editor give a up to date survey of most of the core areas in which biotechnology has made such a crucial impact on our daily lives.The book is generously illustrated and has very useful "boxes" to cover specific subjects from a historical perspective and they are full of unique information. The whole book is filled with facts, some usually not found in textbooks on Biotechnology. So even though I have been in the field for over 25 years, I found a lot of new information.

It must also be said that there are things to improve, hopefully for the 2nd edition. Specifically there are terms that are used without an explanation. To solve this I suggest a glossary at the start of each chapter with explanation of the key words used in the chapter.Just an example, on page 33 the words enthalpy and non-competitive inhibition are used but not explained whereas hydrophilic and hydrophobic are. There are more cases like this and a glossary would solve this problem.Another problem is that to comprehend some parts of the text you need to have some background knowledge in science, specifically biochemistry, and hopefully today's students have that.

A short remark on the spelling of the synonym for bioreactor. A fermenter is an organism which carries out the process of fermentation. A fermentor is a large growth vessel used to culture microorganisms on a large scale, frequently for the production of some commercially valuable product. In this book fermenter is used for bioreactor throughout. There are also other spelling mistakes which should be corrected in an eventual 2nd edition.

Stefan Rokem
Department of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel

A sociologist's view
It is often a problem to find books that help you understand the scientific and technical intricacies of a new phenomenon and at the same time shows its historical and social background. Reinhard Renneberg's Biotechnology for Beginners is the best introduction that I have read recently which achieves this purpose eminently. Renneberg takes you on a tour of biotechnology from its origins in fermentation via gene technology to the development of transgenic animals and analysis of the human genome. His core presentation focuses on the scientific explorations and technological achievements, but the supplementary illustrations and boxes presenting historical developments, critical issues or expert opinions enliven the text. Each chapter is also provided with list of recommended literature and websites, together with self-test questions and other aids for discussion of critical issues.

Many popular books on biotechnology tend to engage in partisan discourse on the merits or dangers of the technology, or they try to avoid the controversial issues altogether. Renneberg in my view strikes a good balance, drawing upon many sources of information and opinion.
As a sociologist and historian of science and technology, I am fascinated with the way that he has woven history and persons (and other living organisms) into the presentation of basic facts. In a sense, he complements technical detail with interesting facts about history and social applications in a way that resembles a double helix. The effect is awesome...

Can't agree with 1st review
I can't agree with the reviewer above who faulted the translation of the book into `Germlish'. There is no way that reader has to translate each sentence into `true English' as it reads very clearly to me. However, I would agree that the text is a little dry and as such is not as accessible as it could be. I also think the book is more appropriate for undergrad students than for graduates.

Cheers!
Science is fun.
Science must make dreams come true, but dreams are images.
Most textbooks forget fun and kill dreams; until now.
Reinhard Renneberg breaks the silencing wall of boredom, boringness, and blindness. His textbook is as funny as a manga, as exciting as Indiana Jones, as titillating as Gustave Klimt, and full of bouquet like a Chateau Latour 1982.
Cheers & Bravo!
... Read more

Product Description
A decade after his now-famous pronouncement of “the end of history,” Francis Fukuyama argues that as a result of biomedical advances, we are facing the possibility of a future in which our humanity itself will be altered beyond recognition. Fukuyama sketches a brief history of man’s changing understanding of human nature: from Plato and Aristotle to the modernity’s utopians and dictators who sought to remake mankind for ideological ends. Fukuyama argues that the ability to manipulate the DNA of all of one person’s descendants will have profound, and potentially terrible, consequences for our political order, even if undertaken with the best of intentions. In Our Posthuman Future, one of our greatest social philosophers begins to describe the potential effects of genetic exploration on the foundation of liberal democracy: the belief that human beings are equal by nature.
Amazon.com Review
Maybe we have a future after all: Our Posthuman Future is political historian Francis Fukuyama's reconsideration of his 1989 announcement that history had reached an end. He claims that science, particularly genome studies, offers radical changes, possibly more profound than anything since the development of language, in the way we think about human nature. He makes his case thoroughly and eloquently, rarely dipping into philosophical or critical jargon and consistently maintaining an informal tone.

Fukuyama is deeply concerned about the erosion of the foundations of liberal democracy under pressure from new concepts of humans and human rights, and most readers will find some room for agreement. Ultimately, he argues for strong international regulation of human biotechnology and thoughtfully disposes of the most compelling counterarguments. While readers might not agree that we're at risk of creating Huxley's Brave New World, it's hard to deny that things are changing quickly and that perhaps we ought to consider the changes before they're irrevocable. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Obessessed with "Ends" but not with "Means"
Perhaps it is useful that Professor Fukuyama is again obsessed with "ends" rather than with "means." Inasmuch as it seems that speculations about "ends" is easier to write about. They allow us to "play out" often unpleasant, but easy and morally neutral "What if" mind games about possible future alternatives to existing paradigms of reality. The one Fukuyama has fixated on here is the implications of biotechnical developments ability to extend longevity well beyond normal limits. By anticipating the likely consequences, Fukuyama is allowed to play out various easy political and moral scenarios to "his hearts content." Like in his last book, he is able to do so without getting his hands dirty by grasping the larger more important problem of how to address the "means" which will ultimately dictate where these "ends" will lead and how they will be managed morally and politically.

At this stage, it is worthwhile to recall that Professor Fukuyama's previous controversial book entitled "The End of History," was basically a political metaphor suggesting that since democracy had won the competition with communism, it (democracy) represented the end of history. It was an unfortunate metaphor for many reasons, the least of which was not that there are still resonances from the critics, being felt reverberating across the academic landscape even almost fifteen years later. Yet, if one followed his thesis carefully, it seems to me that what Mr. Fukuyama was really trying to say was a bit more subtle than simply calling for an abrupt end to history: It was NOT that history had actually ended, but that as a paradigm of governmental evolution, democracy is probably the last "known," or the end stage of the present paradigm. In other words, if we expect to advance beyond democracy, then we may well have to "go back to the drawing board" and invent a better form of government upon which political evolution may then be allowed to continue. There, as here, Mr. Fukuyama did not see a need to go beyond his own self-conceived theoretical model.

Now, in this, his latest book, Professor Fukuyama, begins by surveying the state of the art in three major biotech fields: cloning; genetic engineering; and psycho-pharmacology. It is his belief that among these, psychopharmacology, with its ability to alter brain chemistry, is the most likely to have large-scale effects on American society, and civilization more generally. In siding with Aldus Huxley's "Brave New World," Mr. Fukuyama leaves more "food for thought" on the intellectual table, as well as more grist for the political and scientific, mills. Yet in his careful weaving together of several independent biotech threads, he is again primarily concerned with the easier problem of "ends" rather than with the more difficult one of "means."

His main thread, psychopharmacology, has been the subject of a great deal of intellectual, if not scientific curiosity for at least the better part of the latter half of the 20th Century -- both by science fiction writers as well as by such Gurus as already mentioned Aldous Huxley, plus, Timonthy Leary, and Arthur Koestler, among many others.

The other strain, genetics, is finally emerging into the light of day as "start-up" entities scramble, falling all over each other to get ahead of the competition. The "ends" are easy to predict. It is the "means" where all of the sticky problems lie. One could argue that the consequences of increasing longevity, while it may be the most proximate of possibilities, is far from being the potentially greatest challenge for humankind that these technologies offer in the future.

That real challenge, as Professor Fukuyama well knows has less to do with the kinds of technologies will inhabit the future, than with the age old problem of what kind of moral and political institutions will be available to deal with them. That of course is where the rubber meets the road. And just as the development of nuclear weapons exposed the poverty of man's social and political development up through the present decade, biotechnologies will simply point a further accusatory finger in the same direction. [Who are we kidding here?]

To his credit, Professor Fukuyama makes a feeble hand-waving attempt to raise this issue, but he does so in the classical and socially permitted way: as if the problem reduces to one between the morality of religion versus the morality science? (Ha!, that dog will no longer hunt!)Surely if that had been true, if it were just a question of choosing the correct morality, then we would have solved this dilemma when humanity was on the brink of disaster during the standoff of the Cold War? That we did not, impeaches that approach altogether, as well it should. For the real truth is, and the real poverty of our existence, is that religion has failed us much more than science has, and now it seeks thorough its apologists, to maintain its defrocked throne via fiat.

Mr. Fukuyama knows as well as anyone that there is no such thing as a "post human" future, whatever the state of humanity in the future, it will still be human, whether we wish to own up to it or not. This metaphor of a "post human future" is just a coward's way out of suggesting that, as we did doing the nuclear era, man will lack the courage to face the moral questions his technology will raise. And as they keep coming, we keep backing away. I am afraid that this is the very behavior that defines what "post humanity" is.

Four Stars.

Logically unsound neo con ranting
This book is full of things like "human dignity" that the author can't define properly. Building an argument on vague terms is not convincing. It pains me that this man thinks he is a bioethicist... He's a fundamentalist neocon who is not interested in logic. A waste of time.

oops---history is not ended
About fifteen years ago Francis Fukuyama, professor of Political Economy at Johns Hopkins University, published a controversial book in which he argued that humanity had made no significant political progress since the French Revolution and that the collapse of communism in 1989 signaled the "end" of history.By "end" Fukuyama meant that western, liberal democracy had triumphed over all political options.

Now he has revised his thesis, not because he thinks it was wrong, but because he failed to factor in the role of science as perhaps the chief engine that drives human history.Science drives any number of interests---technological, economic, ethical, social, and so on, but Fukuyama's concern is that it is increasingly driving our political life.If biotechnology alters human nature, then it will alter our political discourse and options.

How so?Consider the political ramifications of scientific conclusions about the heritability of intelligence, crime, sexuality, and aging.Are some races born more or less intelligent simply due to their genetics?If scientists discover a genetic marker for aggression, should society do anything about it (recall the movie Minority Report)?Already we have experienced the political fallout of the debate whether sexual orientation is the result of genetics or choice.Finally, if science continues to extend the average lifespan of people, what are the implications for increasingly scarce resources?To be sure, when science identifies what it thinks is a causative factor in any of these four examples, it will try to manipulate those same factors for what it thinks is the good.

Fukuyama most fears that when biotechnology alters human nature it alters our commonly accepted notions of human rights, justice and morality.Both human rights and human dignity are at stake.He rejects alarmist views that would over regulate or passively ignore biotechnology.He encourages political institutions to keep a wary eye on ostensible threats and benefits, and cautions about the commercial interests inherent for business and science.Finally, Fukuyama argues with a sense of urgency, saying we need to move now from talking to acting, from recommending to legislating.

Letting the Genes Out of the Bottle
Fukuyama says that 1984 presaged the information society, but it has not lead to tyranny of surveillance and propaganda, but rather a decentralized political process in which the individual is empowered to hold the government more accountable. Brave New World presaged the biotech revolution and this concerns him more because it can change the very essence of human nature. The brave new world seeks to seduce us to give up our humanity as we know it for happiness and healthiness that can be brought about supposedly by biotechnology.

Fukuyama examines what will be the consequences of the biotech revolution. Drugs like Prozac and Ritalin can alter our moods to achieve better behavior, but there can also be unwanted side effects. Life extension technologies may lead to gray-haired societies in which older people rigidly rule over the younger ones with their outdated world view. What will happen to the concept of equality, if some are able to breed children with higher intelligence than others? Fukuyama thinks that international rules need to be made to ensure that biotechnology is implemented in an ethical way.

Changes in and explanations of human nature have been attempted or debated over throughout history, even before the biotech revolution.Governments with extreme ideological agendas have sought to modify human nature, but these were crude attempts to do so, considering what may be done with biotechnology in the future. Genetic explanations for human nature, ability, and differences have resurged in recent years, much to the chagrin of those who think that differences and inequality can be explained by environmental factors.

Fukuyama goes on to discuss the book The Bell Curve in which the authors used IQ tests scores to explain differences in average IQ among different races in one of the sections of the book. They also argued that intelligence is largely inherited and stable by adulthood. The book was approved by some conservatives because it explained social hierarchies and contradicted the liberals' belief that equality could be achieved by social engineering. Liberals tend to maintain that intelligence is difficult to measure; conservatives tend to think that intelligence can be objectively measured. Fukuyama says that just because the findings are political incorrect, it doesn't mean they are flawed, and they cannot be dismissed as pseudoscience. Liberals have accused Cyril Burt, a researcher of IQ of falsifying data on twin studies to make it look like that intelligence is largely inherited. In Cyril Burt's case, it was proven that his research was solid, and not falsified. Other researchers in the field have reached a consensus that intelligence is 40 to 50 percent inherited with the rest being influenced by environmental factors such as good nutrition. They disagree with Burt, Hernstein, and Murray that the inheritable percentage is as high as 70 percent. Fukuyama warns us that the IQ and genes issues will not go away in the future as scientists learn more about the subject. Although Fukuyama claims that no one since the bad old days of scientific racism has claimed that blacks are genetically prone to crime, I think Hernstein and Murray argued this indirectly by saying that people with low IQ are more impulsive, less future-oriented, and cannot think out the consequences of their criminal actions as well. Then they claim their research shows that blacks are on the lower end of bell intelligence curve.

Genetic research has also stirred up more controversies about what causes other human differences. The left has argued that sex differences are totally socially constructed, but the research into genetics proves that there is biological differences between males and females. On homosexuality, the tables turn, the right claims it is a matter of lifestyle choice, and the left claims that there is gay gene that makes homosexuals gay. This shows that people will use or not use scientific research to bolster their arguments according to whether it confirms their political or religious beliefs.

Fukuyama describes how drugs to alter moods and behaviors are being pushed by pharmaceutical companies for profit and schools for ideological agendas. Drug companies like Eli Lily have spent millions trying to fend off bad stories about Prozac. ADHD is a problem for the students that is both biological and a controllable behavior problem. Teachers would rather subscribe Ritalin for hyperactive kids rather than discipline them the old fashioned way. Perhaps since corporeal punishment is out of fashion in the schools, medication has become the last resort to replace ineffective discipline. Prozac and Ritalin serve the purposes of androgyny: the former gives more confidence to girls and the latter makes boys more passive. Fukuyama worries about drugs being used to achieve political correct behaviors such these androgynous ones. But people seem to want some sort of happy pill to make them feel better whether it be legal like Prozac or illegal like Ecstasy. Drugs are being used to manipulate behavior just like the soma in Huxley's Brave New World.

Fukuyama looks at the demographics of aging and sees that populations in countries of the south are remaining young, while populations in countries of the north are shrinking in number, growing older, and have a large number of older females. He wonders how this will affect politics for the northern countries. Will they be willing to go to war as much with a shrinking population of youths for fighting and a growing population of peace-minded older females? Fukuyama is worried that by extending life, we will run into problems of quantity over quality of life and the chances of diseases such as Alzheimer's increasing as people get older. There is also political correctness about age that suggests that makes people not want to criticize any problems with the aged or with aging. He brings up the problem of how much do we want to spend on prolonging people's lives after they have finished their careers and raised their kids.

Bush position regarding biotechnology written by somebody else...
In this book Fukuyama gives us his thoughts on biotechnology. Basically, he opposes human clonation and any intervention on the design of animals and human beings. Not surprisingly, he was chosen as a member of the President's Council on Bioethics.
Even if the book can be read as a communiqué by the American government, its academic quality remains high. Instead of grounding his argument on religious terms (as the American politicians opposed to biolotechnology do) he uses Kant's and other philosophers arguments.
Since the writting of Trust, Fukuyama has basically written books that set a political position based on academic terms instead of academic works that derive in a political idea. Because of his approaching to power, Fukuyama is losing among the academical community ... Read more

Product Description
The pace of progress in fermentation microbiology and biotechnology is fast and furious, with new applications being implemented that are resulting in a spectrum of new products, from renewable energy to solvents and pharmaceuticals

Fermentation Microbiology and Biotechnology, Second Edition builds on the foundation of the original seminal work, extending its reach to reflect the multidisciplinary and expansive nature of fermentation research and advancements. While retaining valuable information from the previous edition including a brief history of the industry, as well as an overview of instrumentation and fermentor design, fermentation kinetics, and flux control analysis, the second edition addresses numerous topics that have risen to prominence in the past few years.

New chapters explore the diverse array of microbial biosynthetic pathways currently used by the fermentation and pharmaceutical industries for the production of primary and secondary metabolites such as amino acids, vitamins, antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and anti-tumor agents. The authors also examine recent advances in enzyme and co-factor engineering and cell immobilization with respect to both novel drug development and improved yields from microbial processes.

Beyond pharmaceuticals, this volume considers the emerging role of fermentation in the conversion of renewable resources to fine chemicals, as well as its potential use in converting lignocellulosic waste to ethanol. In addition, readers will also discover new chapters devoted to discussions of industrial issues such as modeling and sensor technology, as well as supervision and control in the fermentation process.

The text is packed with examples and case studies from the industry, carefully chosen to illuminate and reinforce principles and methodology discussed in the chapters. Organized and written in a concise and lucid manner that requires only a general background in microbiology, this volume meets the needs ... Read more