Interviews bring genetics to life in new book

A new book, Speaking of Genetics: A Collection of Interviews, contains 22 interviews of prominent individuals in the field of genetics. The collection makes a compelling read by capturing exhilarating moments of discovery on a wide range of genetic questions as recounted by the scientists themselves. The book also contains interviews of non-scientists whose work interfaces with genetics.

All interviews were conducted by Jane Gitschier, a Professor at the University of California, San Francisco. "These interviews are my attempt to capture the essence of doing science as practiced or witnessed in the field of genetics. My intention has been not only to document important moments of scientific discovery, but also to convey the excitement, the labor, the serendipity, and the human joy and anguish inherent in it," writes Gitschier in the book's preface.

The interviews have been published in the scientific journal PLoS Genetics over the past 5 years. This new book, published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, presents these interviews as a single, stand-alone collection for the first time.

Gitschier chose well-known scientists who have worked on a variety of scientific problems in a range of organisms, and have achieved success in different ways. We also hear from scientists whose careers have taken on a broader role—a University president, a master teacher, an author, the founder of a company, and an explorer.

Further perspective is provided by several non-scientists whose work helps frame our understanding and practice of genetics; these include a judge, a reporter, an administrator, and an historian of science. Together, this collection brings to life the practice and societal implications of contemporary genetics.

More information:
About the book: Speaking of Genetics: A Collection of Interviews (ISBN 978-1-936113-03-3; © 2010 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press) was edited by Jane Gitschier (Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco). It is paperback and is 259 pp. in length (6" × 9"; illus., further reading, index). For more information, see www.cshlpress.com/link/speakgenep.htm.

Provided by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory