There has never been a more exciting time to be a biologist. Not only do we understand more about the biological world than ever before, but we're using that understanding in ever-more creative and valuable ways. Our understanding of the way our genes work is being used to explore new ways to treat disease; our understanding of ecosystems is being used to explore more effective ways to protect the diversity of life on Earth; our understanding of plant science is being used to explore more sustainable ways to feed a growing human population. Use the Oxford Biology Primers to explore biology for yourself-to find out more about what scientists at the cutting edge of the subject are researching, and the biological problems they're trying to solve. This title introduces the rapidly expanding field of genetic medicine, a topic no longer only relevant to people affected by rare congenital disorders, but which has the potential to impact the diagnosis and treatment of most common complex diseases. It explores core concepts about heredity and genome analysis, illustrates current clinical practice with case-histories, and discusses the potentials and pitfalls of personalised medicine. Book jacket.