How to Clone the Perfect Blonde: Using Science to Make Your Wildest Dreams Come True - Softcover

Nelson, Sue; Hollingham, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594740089 ISBN 13: 9781594740084

Publisher: Quirk Books, 2004

Synopsis

Clones of Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz. A robotic housekeeper who makes your bed every morning. A permanent size 6 figure. These are all just fantasies . . . or are they? How much do you really know about gene therapy, artificial intelligence, and bionic modification?
In How to Clone the Perfect Blonde, award-winning journalists Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham show how cutting-edge science will eventually make your wildest dreams come true. With amazing anecdotes and breezy humor, they describe the latest discoveries in biotechnology, quantum mechanics, cryogenics, nanotechnology, wormholes, and much more -- complete with ironic "instructions" on How to Build a Robotic Servant, How to Live Forever, How to Turn Back Time, and more. You'll be amazed to learn how many of these "fantasies" are already well within our reach.
In the tradition of bestselling pop-science books such as The Physics of Star Trek and How to Build a Time Machine, this entertaining read explores the science of science fiction -- and proves that anything is possible!

About this title

About the Author

Sue Nelson is an award-winning science correspondent for BBC News.

Richard Hollingham is a journalist and presenter for BBC Radio.

Reviews

BBC journalists Nelson and Hollingham offer an irreverent and sometimes humorous guide to selected scientific advances in biology, computer science and physics. Each of the eight chapters takes what the authors see as a popular fantasy and explores the science needed to bring the fantasy to life. The titular chapter, for example, illuminates the world of cloning and modern reproductive techniques; "How to Build a Robotic Servant" brings computer technology and artificial intelligence to the fore; "How to Lose Your Love Handles" introduces readers to a discussion of genetically modified crops; and "How to Clean Up Your Neighborhood" is the vehicle for an examination of black holes and Einsteinian physics. Although the tone is light and the text peppered with corny humor ("These cells, taken mostly from skin, are then cultured—which sounds as if they were exposed to opera and classical music and taught deportment...."), the authors do present a basic introduction to some cutting-edge science. What becomes powerfully clear is that while science has made enormous strides in recent years, it's very far from being able to turn fantasies into reality.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Quirk Books
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1594740089
• ISBN 13: 9781594740084
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272