Ballen, Karen Gunnison. Decoding Our DNA.

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Ballen, Karen Gunnison.  Decoding Our DNA.        Twenty First Century see Millbrook 64p                 $33.27   978-0-7613-5489-5      2013  hs  E-BNS      series: Scientific Rivalries and Scandals     Nonfiction

The double-helix structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 and, since then, scientists have worked feverishly to unearth the secrets of the human genome.  In 1998, the race to be the first to do so took on more urgency.  Craig Ventnor, once part of the Human Genome Project, challenged the HGP to a competition with his new commercial enterprise, and the contest was on.  The author begins with an historical view of early attempts to discover the functions of heredity and how DNA worked, and he then continues with a description of the principles behind DNA’s structure, its chemical properties, and the process of decoding its sequences.  She discusses the personalities of the major scientists involved in both the U.S. and Europe.  The winners in the race would be the ones who would benefit from the glory and the patents.  The information is greatly enhanced by a wealth of primary-source accounts from the principal scientists, specific sidebar data, fact boxes and charts, and excellent full-color photographs and illustrations. 
          

This is a succinct and lucid treatment of the subject, diversified and well-balanced between text and illustrations.   The complex text is crisply written and informative and offers a current, up-to-date look at the science behind genome sequencing and its effects.  It is library-bound and ends with a timeline, a glossary, source notes, an extensive bibliography of books and Internet sites, and an index. 
DNA Sequencing                                                                                                                                          --Susan Ogintz