Understanding Genetics: DNA, Genes, and Their Real-World Applications

By: David Sadava, The Great Courses

Narrated by: David Sadava

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

We use DNA routinely - to cure diseases, solve crimes, and reunite families. Yet we've known about it for only 60 years. And what we're continuing to learn about it every day has the potential to transform our health, our nutrition, our society, and our future.

But what, exactly, is DNA, the self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms? You'll learn the answer - and much more - in this briskly paced series of 24 easily understood lectures from an award-winning teacher, author, and scientist. Professor Sadava unlocks DNA's mysteries as he explains what the science of genetics is and guides you through decades of cutting-edge research, scientific discovery, and genetics' weighty implications for us as individuals and as a society. Professor Sadava draws on examples from his own research to show how understanding genetics allows us to improve medical treatment and nutrition, vastly improving our health and quality of life.

You'll also learn how understanding genetics is a critical step toward understanding human identity, itself. For examining our DNA - how it works and what happens when something goes wrong - enables us to see the roots of how our bodies work, why we get sick, and how traits are passed through families.

Enjoy this rare opportunity to peer over the shoulder of a working scientist, learning how he puzzles through the problems of genetics to find meaningful, real-world solutions that can not only save an individual life but also enhance the quality of life for everyone.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2008 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2008 The Great Courses

Very good book on genetics

I thought that this was a very good book on genetics and how this field of science is being applied in the real world. The material is presented in a way that the average listener can understand and grasp. The delivery of the lectures are very well done. You will learn the basics about genetics and develop a working vocabulary. The author and in this case the professor / narrator starts each lecture with a very interesting story that sets the stage for the content of the lecture. If you have any interest in learning the basics about genetics, then I highly recommend this audio book. The Great Courses usually do a great job at providing content. This is a good book for high school students or above. It is a very interesting and enjoyable course.

Great introduction to genetics

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this to anybody who is curious about genetics. This is a great introduction to the short history and slightly technical side of genetics in layman's terms. David Sadava keeps the course engaging with a memorable story at the start of each lecture and briefly tells the story of all the important contributors (Mendel, Darwin, the guys who first thought of the double helix etc.). He explains the significance and relevance of each topic to today's society (forensics, agriculture, ethics, disease & medicine). This course has made me realise the vast practical applications of genetics. Being from a science background but never having gotten around to studying biology, the knowledge I've taken from this course will be invaluable. I can now read otherwise intimidating texts on the subject now that I am familiar with the basic terms and concepts.

What other book might you compare Understanding Genetics: DNA, Genes, and Their Real-World Applications to and why?

I think if you are serious about understanding the material, the DVD version, having diagrams, would make things much easier (although it is significantly pricier). As with all sciences some concepts cannot be explained easily without a diagram. I would recommend taking notes throughout the course and looking up key concepts online for relevant graphs (e.g. punnet squares), diagrams and illustrations (DNA double helix, molecular structures, cell diagrams etc.).

Which character – as performed by Professor David Sadava – was your favorite?

Mendel - the father of modern genetics. Another great contributor who wasn't appreciated during his lifetime!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Silly question.

Any additional comments?

Sadava is a good lecturer. He is very listenable and has friendly tone reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld at times.

Informative and Entertaining

What made the experience of listening to Understanding Genetics: DNA, Genes, and Their Real-World Applications the most enjoyable?

Helped me understand the topic.

What other book might you compare Understanding Genetics: DNA, Genes, and Their Real-World Applications to and why?

I don't know

What about Professor David Sadava’s performance did you like?

I like how he provided information with historical anecdotes and analogies.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

no

engaging

While this audiobook was engaging in many ways, it should have probably been more critical of the use of genetic Technologies and at least addressed many of the political ramifications involved in the implementation of these Technologies.

Basic Genetic knowledge for beginners. interestin

Basic Genetic knowledge for beginners. interesting. make biotechnology more fun to study and easier to understand.

Made a complex subject quite understandable.

I had far too limited and understanding of genetics. The deficit I wanted to cure. This lecture did the trick.

View of genetics from 1000 feet

This was a great educational experience, albeit quick in places. There is more depth to the exposure presented here. This is worthwhile info on current hot topics. I will be looking for more depth and progress. Bravo!

Very thorough and entertaining but hard to follow

The material has a lot of acronyms and cumulative knowledge, so listening to it days apart with 70% attention while driving makes it hard to follow at some points. However, it's good at giving you a general understanding of the layers of abstraction of the Gene's from the molecules of DNA to the phenotypic effects. Even when later on it's discussing agriculture, you can follow with how it all relates back to how genes are expressed in the molecular level.

Great intro but now incomplete without CRISPR

Great intro into DNA and genetics and would have garnered 5 stars if it weren't CRISPR which has completely changed the game for genetic modification. This series is now incomplete and needs to be updated with a CRISPR section (or two).
Still highly recommended for those that are wanting to learn about DNA and genes.

Anecdotal story time: I had a conversation not long ago with a woman who happened to be a fertility doctors and based on the info I learned solely from this series I was able to hold a fairly technical conversation to the point she was sure I was a biologist of some sort.

Great content

Great content and well presented. Good teacher and kept my attention. Definitely recommend as a baseline study.