getAbstract

Advanced Search
Blog Blog | RSS Feeds RSS Feeds | Free Free Summaries
Subscribe

A Life Decoded

My Genome: My Life

by J. Craig Venter

A Life Decoded
Publisher: Copyright © J. Craig Venter, 2007
Used by arrangement with Viking Penguin, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
www.penguin.com (1-800-253-6476)
Pub. Date: 2007
ISBN: 9780670063581
No. pages: 400

Category: Concepts & Trends
Download

In this summary you will learn

  • Who J. Craig Venter is
  • Why his scientific accomplishments matter
  • What he is working on at present

Why you should read A Life Decoded

J. Craig Venter says he is one of the “leading scientists of the 21st century,” and he is. Venter is a brilliant visionary and pioneer in genomic research. He was first to decode the full DNA of a living organism, the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae. Later, Venter moved up significantly in scientific class by completing the DNA sequence of the human genome. Feverishly ambitious, he is now researching ocean genomes in hopes of finding new fuel sources and of becoming the first scientist to create artificial life. Venter does nothing halfway, hence his designation by Time magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people. Yet, in scientific circles, he has also earned some disdain as an egotistical “wild man of biotech.” Many scientists see his use of his own DNA in the human genome project as a shocking lack of scientific decorum. He comes across, in his own words, as narcissistic. This self-absorption, and his pervasive portrayal of himself as an altruistic purist constantly battling bureaucratic philistines, interferes with his story about how he cracked the human genome code. Clearly, it’s not easy being a genius, but it sure is interesting, and so getAbstract recommends Venter’s account of his scientific achievements.

About the Author

J. Craig Venter is a leading scientist and a pioneer in genomic research. He is president of the J. Craig Venter Institute, a multidisciplinary, genomic-focused research facility.

Rating    (what is this?)

Overall rating 7  (7)
Importance rating 7  (7)
Innovation rating 9  (9)
Style rating 7  (7)

Level of Expertise    (what is this?)

Level rating 7  (7)

Buy the Book

Click here to buy the book "A Life Decoded". If you wish to purchase 20 or more copies of the same title (not the summary, but the "real" book), please contact us at bulkorders@getAbstract.com. Make sure you include the title of the book and your phone number.

getAbstract makes it easy for you to access the summary of A Life Decoded any time or any place. Once registered, you can choose from a variety of download formats: PDF for your computer, BlackBerry, iPhone, Kindle, PDA or other handheld devices. You can even obtain the audio version of many of our summaries.
Subscribe today to gain access to this summary as well as many other compelling titles!

inivs
inivs
inivs
 
Subscribe
 
Welcome | How It Works | Browse | Corporate Solutions | Subscribe

Accessibility | Publishers | About Us | Careers | Press Corner | Testimonials | Shvoong | Bloomberg | Book Award | Gift Subscriptions | Contact | Blog

Disclaimer | Privacy Statement | Affiliate Program | Operating Agreement | © 1999-2009, getAbstract