GENETIC ENGINEERING
by Nigel Hawkes
In the ``Issues'' series, a quick overview that colorfully introduces the promise and problems of fooling with our genetic programs. Hawkes, (the London Times) brings a welcome international thrust to his coverage of ethical controversies while also pointing out facets of today's living that we may not think of as genetic engineering: insulin, for instance, and the floppy-eared rabbit, which has no advantage in the wild but has been bred as an attractive pet. Though some of the boxed blurbs may discuss matters that children know little about (e.g., in vitro fertilization), there's much here to learn and enjoy. Clear diagrams, lush photos, clever headings (``Bring on the clones''), and incisive examples (comparing uncaught spelling errors in a newspaper with genetic disease that slips by) help make the pastiche, magazine format appealing. Milestones; glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 10-14)