Oregon Bioscience Online

Suggested Science Education Reading List

The following is a list of select biotechnology and other science related books that will help you understand the world of biotechnology, help your children understand human life science, and help your new employee with the chemistry degree understand physics, genetics or statistics. If you are interested in reviewing or purchasing any of these books, we have linked each of the items below to Amazon.com, the world's largest online bookstore. Amazon.com provides a secure online transaction system, prompt delivery-to-your-door service, and at a price that rivals the largest discount stores. We welcome your feedback and suggestions for additional reading and teaching resources. Happy reading!

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Publications

Frances Balkwill and Mic Rolph have published a series of highly regarded, well written and very informative books with full-color cartoon illustrations to help children (and others) understand the complexities of the human body in a thoughtful, easy to understand manner. Topics range from understanding DNA and genes to cells and our immune system.

Amazing Schemes Within Your Genes.
by Fran Balkwill.
Illustrated by Mic Rolph. 1993.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Cells Are Us.
Fran Balkwill.
Illustrated by Mic Rolph. 1993.
Reading level: Ages 9-12

	Cell Wars. by Fran Balkwill. Illustrated by Mic Rolph. 1993. Reading level: Ages 9-12
DNA Is Here to Stay. by Fran Balkwill. Illustrated by Mic Rolph. 1993. Reading level: Ages 9-12

The Incredible Human Body: A Book of Discovery & Learning.
by Fran Balkwill, et al.

Microbes, Bugs & Wonder Drugs.
by Fran Balkwill.

Other Cold Spring Harbor & Related Reading

Double Talking Helix Blues. by Ira Herskowitz, Judy Cuddihy (Illustrator). 1993.
	The Eighth Day of Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Biology. by Horace Freeland Judson. 1996
DNA Science: A First Course in Recombinant DNA Technology. by David Micklos. Published by Carolina Biological Supply Company. 1990.

Center for Science Information Brief Books

Steven Witt has produced an exceptional series of comprehensively researched Brief Books with the goal of increasing public awareness of emerging issues in biotechnology. Although slightly dated the information and complex issues presented are as relevant today as when first authored. The books are based on an exhaustive search of literature, government, academic and business reports and statistics, and extensive in-depth interviews with leading experts in wide ranging disciplines from broad political spectrums.

Biotechnology and Genetic Diversity.
by Steven C. Witt. 1985.

Biotechnology, Microbes and the Environment.
by Steven C. Witt. 1990.

Cartoon Guides to Complex Topics

Larry Gonick's Cartoon Guides are a must read for anyone who want to quickly grasp the essentials of complex topics ranging from genetics and physics to computers and statistics. Gonick's books are thorough, witty and, of course, entertaining. (note: a certain leading Seattle area research center commonly gives the Guide to Genetics to new physicists, and the Guide to Physics to new geneticists to help them understand each others disciplines).

	Cartoon Guide to the Computer. by Larry Gonick. 1991.
Cartoon Guide to the Environment. by Larry Gonick & Alice Outwater. 1996.
	Cartoon Guide to Genetics. by Larry Gonick & Mark Wheelis. 1991.
Cartoon Guide to (Non Communication: The Use and Misuse of Information in the Modern World). by Larry Gonick.
	Cartoon Guide to Physics. by Larry Gonick & Art Huffman. 1992
Cartoon Guide to Statistics. by Larry Gonick & Woollcott Smith. 1993.

Science2Discover Books

Dr. N. Celeste Bailey and Dr. N. Lucia Eskeland write books that educate children about genetics and biotechnology and the impact they have on our lives. These books are appropriate for late elementary/middle-school students, or for adults wishing to learn more about biotechnology. The workbook, Fun with Gene, has recently been approved by the Board of Education of the City of New York.

	Call Me Gene - 2nd Edition. by N. C. Bailey, N. L. Eskeland. 2001.
Fun with Gene. by N. C. Bailey, N. L. Eskeland. 2001.

Other Suggested Reading

	Biotechnology Unzipped: Promises & Realities by Eric S. Grace Published by National Academy Press. 1997.
Curing Cancer: Solving One of the Greatest Medical Mysteries of Our Time. by Michael Waldholz. Published by Simon & Schuster. 1997.
	Curing Cancer: The Story of Men and Women Unlocking the Secrets of Our Deadliest Illness. by Michael Waldholz. Published by Simon & Schuster. 1999.

Immunology. by Ivan M. Roitt, David Male Published by Mosby. 1998.

	Natural Obsessions: Striving to Unlock the Deepest Secrets of the Cancer Cell. by Natile Angerier. Published by Mariner Books. 1999.
Signs of Life: the language and meanings of DNA. by Robert Pollack. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. 1995.
The Birth of Bioethics. by Albert R. Jonsen. Published by Oxford University Press. 1998.
	The Way Life Works. by Bert Dodson (Contributor), Mahlon B. Hoagland. Published by Times Books. 1995.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decoding Your Genes by Linda Tagliaferro, Mark Vincent Bloom Published by Alpha Books, 1999.

DNA in the Courtroom: A Trial Watcher's Guide.
by Howard Coleman, Eric Swenson. First Edition. 1995.

Howard Coleman and Eric Swenson wrote the reference book used by both the defense and prosecuting attorneys, as well as the judge in the O. J. criminal trial. If you are a lawyer, legislator, news reporter or just plain interested in learning about DNA forensics, including scientific foundation, legal history and current issues surrounding its use in a court of law you will want to read this book.

Laboratory DNA Science: An Introduction to Recombinant DNA Techniques and Methods of Genome Analysis.
by Mark V. Bloom, Greg A. Freyer, David A. Micklos, Susan zehl Lauter. 1996.

Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology: A Guide for Teachers.
by Helen Kreuzer, Adrianne Massey. 1996.

Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science. by Working Group on Teaching Evolution, National Academy of Sciences. 1998.

Other Educational Resources: