Cloning: A Reference Handbook

(Hardback)

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Description

This book provides a detailed introduction to the cloning of both plants and animals and discusses the important social, ethical, political, technical, and other issues related to the practice. The history of cloning experiments dates back more than a century, but advances in technology in recent decades have multiplied the potential applications of cloningand expanded the controversies surrounding these possibilities. Cloning: A Reference Handbook provides an accessible description of the development of plant and animal cloning from the early stages of human civilization to the present day and coherently covers the science and technology involved. It reviews the essential controversies that have arisen about cloningparticularly applications involving human DNAas researchers have advanced and extended the tools for cloning organisms. Additionally, the book discusses public opinion about cloning and the legislative and administration actions that have been taken with regard to the practice. This single-volume work provides a broad treatment of the subject, going back further in history than is the case with most texts, covering plant cloning and providing a thorough overview of the nature of animal cloning and related issues. Examples of the topics covered include the natural "cloning" processes of regeneration in plants and animals; crucial research breakthroughs on animal cloning by Robert Briggs and Thomas King, John Gurdon, Gail Martin, James Till and Earnest McCulloch, and others; and the laws that regulate which types of cloning are allowed and prohibited in the United States and in other countries.

Reviews

A valuable reference tool for public, high school, and community college libraries, Newton's work offers a starting point for understanding a potentially earth-changing process. * Booklist *
The book stands out for the excellent resources assembled, both print and electronic. The author's intent is to make the issues comprehensible not only to professionals and academics in the field but also to general readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. * Choice *

Author Bio

David E. Newton, EdD, has been a freelance writer of nonfiction books and ancillary materials for young adults for nearly 55 years. He has published more than 400 textbooks, research manuals, trade books, encyclopedias, and other publications.