Tears of the Cheetah

The Genetic Secrets of Our Animal Ancestors

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Genetics, Zoology
Cover of the book Tears of the Cheetah by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien, St. Martin's Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien ISBN: 9781250102317
Publisher: St. Martin's Press Publication: October 27, 2015
Imprint: St. Martin's Griffin Language: English
Author: Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
ISBN: 9781250102317
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication: October 27, 2015
Imprint: St. Martin's Griffin
Language: English

The history of life on Earth is dominated by extinction events so numerous that over 99.9% of the species ever to have existed are gone forever. If animals could talk, we would ask them to recall their own ancestries, in particular the secrets as to how they avoided almost inevitable annihilation in the face of daily assaults by predators, climactic cataclysms, deadly infections and innate diseases.

In Tears of the Cheetah, medical geneticist and conservationist Stephen J. O'Brien narrates fast-moving science adventure stories that explore the mysteries of survival among the earth's most endangered and beloved wildlife. Here we uncover the secret histories of exotic species such as Indonesian orangutans, humpback whales, and the imperiled cheetah-the world's fastest animal which nonetheless cannot escape its own genetic weaknesses.

Among these genetic detective stories we also discover how the Serengeti lions have lived with FIV (the feline version of HIV), where giant pandas really come from, how bold genetic action pulled the Florida panther from the edge of extinction, how the survivors of the medieval Black Death passed on a genetic gift to their descendents, and how mapping the genome of the domestic cat solved a murder case in Canada.

With each riveting account of animal resilience and adaptation, a remarkable parallel in human medicine is drawn, adding yet another rationale for species conservation-mining their genomes for cures to our own fatal diseases. Tears of the Cheetah offers a fascinating glimpse of the insight gained when geneticists venutre into the wild.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The history of life on Earth is dominated by extinction events so numerous that over 99.9% of the species ever to have existed are gone forever. If animals could talk, we would ask them to recall their own ancestries, in particular the secrets as to how they avoided almost inevitable annihilation in the face of daily assaults by predators, climactic cataclysms, deadly infections and innate diseases.

In Tears of the Cheetah, medical geneticist and conservationist Stephen J. O'Brien narrates fast-moving science adventure stories that explore the mysteries of survival among the earth's most endangered and beloved wildlife. Here we uncover the secret histories of exotic species such as Indonesian orangutans, humpback whales, and the imperiled cheetah-the world's fastest animal which nonetheless cannot escape its own genetic weaknesses.

Among these genetic detective stories we also discover how the Serengeti lions have lived with FIV (the feline version of HIV), where giant pandas really come from, how bold genetic action pulled the Florida panther from the edge of extinction, how the survivors of the medieval Black Death passed on a genetic gift to their descendents, and how mapping the genome of the domestic cat solved a murder case in Canada.

With each riveting account of animal resilience and adaptation, a remarkable parallel in human medicine is drawn, adding yet another rationale for species conservation-mining their genomes for cures to our own fatal diseases. Tears of the Cheetah offers a fascinating glimpse of the insight gained when geneticists venutre into the wild.

More books from St. Martin's Press

Cover of the book These Mortal Remains by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book A Mourning Wedding by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book A Collection of Inspector Rebus Novels by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Portrait Of My Heart by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book The Dark-Hunters, Vol. 2 by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book The Honey Series by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Glass Houses by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Better on Top by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book The Wickedest Lord Alive by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book The Body in the Kelp by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Twitter is Not a Strategy by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book An Old-Fashioned Murder by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Ashes of the Elements by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Prince of Stories by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Rubber Balls and Liquor by Dr. Stephen J. O'Brien
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy