The Book of Genes and Genomes

Preface
Contents
1: From Genes to Genomes in All Living Things
	The 1800s
	The 1900s
	Can We Actually “See” DNA?
	What Have We Learned from Sequencing the Human Genome?
	Why Sequence the Genomes of Other Species?
	Genes and Disease
	Beyond the Sequence
	Conclusion
	Resources
2: My Family’s Health History (and Why It Is Important for Me to Know)
	What Is Family (Health) History?
	Collecting a Family History
	Showing a Family History: What Is a Pedigree?
	Interpreting a Family History
	Digital Family History
	What If You Do Not Know Much About Your Family Health History?
	Why Is Marrying Family Members of Concern?
	Taking a Step Back: From Families to Whole Populations
	Conclusion
	References
3: A Savior Sibling
	Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
	Savior Siblings
	Other Controversial Uses of PGD
	Ethical Issues
	Conclusion
	Resources
4: Too Few, Too Many
	Health Effects of Extra/Missing Chromosomes
	How Do Chromosomal Abnormalities Arise?
	Down Syndrome
	Normal But with Missing or Extra DNA?
	Cancer
	Screening Tests for Chromosomal Abnormalities in Pregnancy
	Diagnosis of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Pregnancy
	Resources
5: You Have Probably Already Had a Genetic Test (But No One Told You): Newborn Screening
	Beginning of Newborn Screening: The First Disease Screened
	Phenylketonuria (PKU)
	State by State
	How Do States Decide Which Diseases to Screen?
	Do Parents Have a Choice?
	Moving Beyond Screening for Treatable Diseases
	Conclusion
	Resources
6: Sweet Blood
	What Is Diabetes?
	Treatment of Diabetes
	Genetics of Diabetes
		Type 1 Diabetes
		Type 2 Diabetes
	Would You Change Your Behavior If You Knew You Were at Risk for Diabetes?
	Resources
7: Will This Drug Work for You?
	Short History of Genetics and Drug Response
	Understanding the Genetic Mechanisms Behind Drug Response
	Should You Be Tested the Next Time You Take a Drug?
	Resources
8: No Two Cancers the Same
	Tools to Classify Cancer
		Tumor Sequencing
		Microarrays
	Inherited Cancers
	Cancer Diagnoses, Cancer Sub-types, and Treatment
	Targeted and Tailored Treatments
	From Biopsy to Blood-Based Cancer Screening Tests (Risk Assessment)
	Conclusion
	References
9: Correcting Genes
	How Does Gene Therapy Work?
	The First Successful Trial of Gene Therapy
	Side Effects of Gene Therapy
	Gene Editing
	Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy
	Ethical Considerations of Gene Therapy and Gene Editing
	Conclusion
	Resources
10: Hunting the Invisible Bugs
	A Quick History of Pathogens
	Microbial Genomics
	Tracking an Infectious Disease Outbreak
	Laboratory Testing
	Legionnaires’ Disease
	Recent Infectious Diseases
		SARS
		E. coli Outbreak (Spinach)
		MRSA
		Anthrax
		SARS-CoV-2
	Microbiome
	Prevention of Infectious Disease
	Conclusion
	Resources
11: Can Genes Explain Behavior?
	What Is a Behavioral Trait?
	Determining If a Behavioral Trait Is Genetic or Not
	Scientific Challenges of Studying the Genetics of Behavior
	Examples of Genes and Behavior
		Schizophrenia
		Intelligence
		Aggression
		Sort of in Our Genes, But Not Exactly
	Risks and Benefits of Defining Genes Associated with Behaviors
	Conclusion
	Resources
12: I Will Have the Genetically Modified Foods, Please
	What Is GM?
	How Many GM Crops Are There?
	Examples of GM Crops and Livestock
	Enhanced Taste, Appearance, and Size
		Flavr Savr Tomato
		AquAdvantage Salmon
		GalSafe Pigs
	Insect Resistance
		Bt Corn
	Herbicide Tolerance
	Enriched and Drug-Producing Plants
		Golden Rice
		Reduced Nicotine Tobacco
		Vaccines
		Genetically Modified Enzymes for Food Production
	Regulatory Oversight of GM Foods
	Product Labeling
	Public Opinion and Debate over GM Foods
		Environmental Concerns
		Health Concerns
		Ethical Concerns
	Conclusion
	Resources
13: Cleaning Up the Environment
	Applications
	Pest Control
	Bioremediation and Biodegradation
		Bacteria
		Plants
	Biosensors
	Concerns
	Conclusion
	Resources
14: Genetics and the Crime Scene: Just Like TV?
	Identification Testing Before DNA
	Rise of DNA Testing
	The First DNA-Based Criminal Investigation
	The Growth of DNA-Based Forensics
	Forensic DNA Databases
	DNA Genealogical Databases and Criminal Investigations
	Humanitarian Applications
	Other Applications of DNA-Based Forensics
	Conclusion
	Resources
15: Are Humans Related to Cavemen?
	Some Ancient History
	How Long Can DNA Last?
	Genetic Analysis of Ancient DNA
	Neanderthals
	Caveman’s Health
	Egyptian Mummies
		Implications for Evolution
	Conclusion
	References
16: (Re-)Creating New Life
	It All Starts with DNA
	Synthesis
	Re-creation of Deadly Microorganisms
	Minimal Genome
	Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 1—Obtaining DNA Sequences
		Ancient DNA: Dinosaurs
		Woolly Mammoths and Other Recently Extinct Species
			Quagga
			Marsupial Wolf
			Woolly Mammoths
	Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 2—Genome Synthesis
	Re-creation of Extinct Species: Step 3—Development
	Vaccine Development
	Ethical Issues of Synthetic Genomics
	Conclusion
	References
17: Home-based Genetic Testing: A Brave New World
	Clinical Genetic Testing
	New Genetic Discoveries
	Advances in Testing Technologies
	Bringing Genetic Testing Directly to the Public: No Doctor Required
	Recreational and Ancestry Testing
	Government Oversight of DTC Companies
	Risks and Benefits
	Conclusion
	References
Index