About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherOxford University Press, Incorporated

ISBN-100195130847

ISBN-139780195130843

eBay Product ID (ePID)611749

Product Key Features

Number of Pages256 Pages

Publication NameNew Healers : the Promise and Problems of Molecular Medicine in the Twenty-First Century

LanguageEnglish

Publication Year1999

SubjectClinical Medicine, Genetics

TypeTextbook

Subject AreaMedical

AuthorWilliam R. Clark

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height0.4 in

Item Weight7.1 Oz

Item Length7.9 in

Item Width5.3 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

Reviews",,,this book is enjoyable reading that is informative andinsightful."--Annals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons ofCanada, William Clark sets out a well-balanced accoumt of the complexities of his controversial field of medical research. He offers a clear description of how genes work and of the attempts that are being made to isolate and transfer them to new homes... unlikeso many of the popular works of this kind, does not duck complexities or overstate progress., "[Clark's] book will help lay readers understand the evolution of medicinefrom research lab to clinic and will also give them insight into the molecularbiology and genetics that are increasingly influencing individual medicaldecisions."--Library Journal, ",,,this book is enjoyable reading that is informative and insightful."--Annals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, "Clark's book, written for nonscientists as well as students new to the field, uses historical narrative to show how we have arrived at the dawn of a new age in medicine."--The Quarterly Review of Biology, " ... this book is enjoyable reading that is informative and insightful. ... it is recommended for the non-expert who has an interest in the potential role that recombinant DNA technology will play in our understanding and treatment of disease." Annals RCPSC (vol.32, no.1, Feb 1999), " ... this book is enjoyable reading that is informative and insightful.... it is recommended for the non-expert who has an interest in the potentialrole that recombinant DNA technology will play in our understanding andtreatment of disease." Annals RCPSC (vol.32, no.1, Feb 1999), "Every revolution needs a primer. What Paul deKruiff did for the bacteriological revolution in The Microbe Hunters and Lewis Thomas did for the biological revolution in The Lives of a Cell, William Clark has done for the revolution in molecular medicine: He has made a tough new science a pleasure to understand. He makes it clear that molecular medicine, and its subset of gene splicing, constitute the real 'alternative medicine' of today; itsaim is to find and correct, once and for all, the deepest flaws that lurk in our genes. Clark's book is also a short history of the technical and moral problems that gene therapy has faced. It's a noble story, welltold."--Gerald Weissmann, author of Democracy and DNA"Although his subjects have been treated reputably by others, Clark distinguishes himself by dealing with them as though they were topics to be studied for practical purposes.... Molecular medicine is hard to comprehend. Clark explains it clearly and logically, communicating some of the excitement of the researchers and clinicians who study and use it."--Booklist"Bravely and coherently, Clark explains why gene therapy--the subject of much hype and a certain amount of disillusionment--is currently being proposed mainly for clinical trials of the complex diseases cancer and AIDS.... Recommended for academic and public libraries.... His book will help lay readers understand the evolution of medicine from research lab to clinic and will also give them insight into the molecular biology and genetics that are increasinglyinfluencing individual medical decisions."--Library Journal"[Clark's] book will help lay readers understand the evolution of medicine from research lab to clinic and will also give them insight into the molecular biology and genetics that are increasingly influencing individual medical decisions."--Library JournalNoted in Canadian Medical Association Journal",,,this book is enjoyable reading that is informative and insightful."--Annals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada"Clark's book, written for nonscientists as well as students new to the field, uses historical narrative to show how we have arrived at the dawn of a new age in medicine."--The Quarterly Review of Biology, "Although his subjects have been treated reputably by others, Clarkdistinguishes himself by dealing with them as though they were topics to bestudied for practical purposes.... Molecular medicine is hard to comprehend.Clark explains it clearly and logically, communicating some of the excitement ofthe researchers and clinicians who study and use it."--Booklist, "Although his subjects have been treated reputably by others, Clark distinguishes himself by dealing with them as though they were topics to be studied for practical purposes.... Molecular medicine is hard to comprehend. Clark explains it clearly and logically, communicating some of theexcitement of the researchers and clinicians who study and use it."--Booklist, In the New Healers, William Clark takes on gene therapy with the same verve and clarity which made its previous books on the immmune system and the biology of the cell such a pleasure., "Every revolution needs a primer. What Paul deKruiff did for the bacteriological revolution in The Microbe Hunters and Lewis Thomas did for the biological revolution in The Lives of a Cell, William Clark has done for the revolution in molecular medicine: He has made a tough new science apleasure to understand. He makes it clear that molecular medicine, and its subset of gene splicing, constitute the real 'alternative medicine' of today; its aim is to find and correct, once and for all, the deepest flaws that lurk in our genes. Clark's book is also a short history of the technicaland moral problems that gene therapy has faced. It's a noble story, well told."--Gerald Weissmann, author of Democracy and DNA, "Bravely and coherently, Clark explains why gene therapy--the subject ofmuch hype and a certain amount of disillusionment--is currently being proposedmainly for clinical trials of the complex diseases cancer and AIDS....Recommended for academic and public libraries.... His book will help lay readersunderstand the evolution of medicine from research lab to clinic and will alsogive them insight into the molecular biology and genetics that are increasinglyinfluencing individual medical decisions."--Library Journal, "[Clark's] book will help lay readers understand the evolution of medicine from research lab to clinic and will also give them insight into the molecular biology and genetics that are increasingly influencing individual medical decisions."--Library Journal, "Clark's book, written for nonscientists as well as students new to thefield, uses historical narrative to show how we have arrived at the dawn of anew age in medicine."--The Quarterly Review of Biology, "Every revolution needs a primer. What Paul deKruiff did for thebacteriological revolution in The Microbe Hunters and Lewis Thomas did for thebiological revolution in The Lives of a Cell, William Clark has done for therevolution in molecular medicine: He has made a tough new science a pleasure tounderstand. He makes it clear that molecular medicine, and its subset of genesplicing, constitute the real 'alternative medicine' of today; its aim is tofind and correct, once and for all, the deepest flaws that lurk in our genes.Clark's book is also a short history of the technical and moral problems thatgene therapy has faced. It's a noble story, well told."--Gerald Weissmann,author of Democracy and DNA, "Bravely and coherently, Clark explains why gene therapy--the subject of much hype and a certain amount of disillusionment--is currently being proposed mainly for clinical trials of the complex diseases cancer and AIDS.... Recommended for academic and public libraries.... His book will helplay readers understand the evolution of medicine from research lab to clinic and will also give them insight into the molecular biology and genetics that are increasingly influencing individual medical decisions."--Library Journal

TitleLeadingThe

Dewey Edition21

IllustratedYes

Dewey Decimal616/.042

SynopsisScience and medicine have provided us with clues to the treatment of a few genetic diseases, although by their very nature they have never been considered curable. But, as William R. Clark shows, that is about to change through one of the most profound revolutions in modern medicine: gene therapy, a branch of the new field of molecular medicine. Clark takes us to the laboratories which have been able to isolate human genes, to make billions of copies of them, and to reintroduce healthy genes into unfortunate individuals who have inherited damaged or functionless genes. The New Healers outlines the powerful logic behind molecular medicine: everything we know about molecular biology tells us that it can work, and that it will work. Clark introduces us to the scientists working now to map out the entire human genome, taking human beings to a completely new level of understanding of our biological selves. Clark also helps us to begin thinking about how we will manage that understanding, and how we will use the information we gain. The New Healers is a clear and compelling introduction to this important new frontier of human medicine., Genetic diseases can be every bit as devastating as the diseases caused by bacteria or viruses, and in one way they are much worse: we pass them on to our children, generation after generation after generation. Science and medicine have provided us with clues to the treatment of a few genetic diseases, although by their very nature they have never been considered curable. But, as William R. Clark shows, that is about to change through one of the most profound revolutions in modern medicine: gene therapy, a branch of the new field of molecular medicine. The New Healers is a clear and compelling introduction to a revolution in modern medicine that may lead to cures for cancer, AIDS, and nearly 4,000 previously incurable genetic diseases. Clark introduces us to the scientists working on the vast Human Genome Project, and outlines all the basic elements of molecular biology necessary to understand this remarkable new medicine., Human beings have on the order of 100,000 different genes encoding the molecules needed to build and operate the human body; defects in any one of them can lead to disastrous consequences. There are an estimated 4,000 genetic diseases, which can be every bit as devastating as the diseases caused by bacteria or viruses, and in one way they are much worse: we pass them on to our children, generation after generation after generation. The New Healers is the story of the devastation these diseases cause, and the scientific researchers and doctors who struggle to combat them. Science and medicine have provided us with clues to the treatment of a few genetic diseases, although by their very nature they have never been considered curable. But, as William R. Clark shows, that is about to change through one of the most profound revolutions in modern medicine: gene therapy, a branch of the new field of molecular medicine. Clark takes us to the laboratories which have been able to isolate human genes, to make billions of copies of them, and to reintroduce healthy genes into unfortunate individuals who have inherited damaged or functionless genes. He also shows us how this same technology, turned around on itself, can also be used to deliberately introduce "bad" genes to attack and destroy unwanted cells, such as cancer cells or those infected with the AIDS virus. Molecular medicine will be a major part of our lives in the new millennium. The New Healers outlines the powerful and compelling logic behind molecular medicine: that everything we know about molecular biology tells us that it can work, and that it will work. Clark introduces us to the scientists working now to map out the entire human genome, easily the medical equivalent of going to the moon, taking human beings to a completely new level of understanding of our biological selves. Clark also helps us to begin thinking about how we will manage that understanding, and how we will use the information we gain. The New Healers is a clear and compelling introduction to this important new frontier of human medicine, outlining for readers all the basic elements of molecular biology necessary to understand molecular medicine, and illustrating the fascinating stories of those doctors and patients already a part of this exciting future -- a future as full of promise as anything we have witnessed in this past century of remarkable progress.