Aubrey Milunsky, MD, D.S.c. is Professor of Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology, and the Director of the Center for Human Genetics, at Boston University School of Medicine.

"This book is extremely well done. The author's ability to provide unbiased information to the general public is unique and there are very few comparable books. It is an excellent tool not only for genetic counseling, but also to raise awareness of the importance of human genetics in our daily lives." -- Doody's Book Review"A professor and doctor of pediatrics, genetics, and internal medicine, Milunsky...provides a thorough manual invaluable to the layperson trying to determine if a condition is inheritable and how to prevent its passing to future generations. In language that clearly and concisely communicates details of medical treatments and genetics, the reader is instructed in the biology of genetic traits, how mutations are diagnosed, and how to assemble a family healthhistory." -- Publishers Weekly"Dr. Milunsky has provided us the extraordinary gift of a health literate translation of the complex and evolving science of genetics and how this understanding is a critical component of our pursuit of optimal health. This book should be required reading for all professionals and families." --Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States"Dr. Milunsky's book is a welcome guide for individuals, families, and health professionals trying to navigate through the vast and ever-growing body of genetic information available today. I recommend this book for all. It should help us to improve the health literacy of our populations." --Louis W. Sullivan, MD, US Secretary of Health and Human Services, 1989-1993, President Emeritus, Morehouse School of MedicineReviews from Aubrey Milunsky's previous books:"Pediatricians are fortunate to have Benjamin Spock to explain child health to parents. As geneticists, we are lucky to have Aubrey Milunsky to explain genetic health to people." -- The American Journal of Human Genetics"Fascinating, easy to read . . . a valuable contribution. A practitioner would be doing this patient and future generations an important service by calling attention to this book." -- New York Times"Very lucid, accurate, of wide scope . . . Dr. Milunsky is a superbly competent and successful genetic counselor [whose book is] highly recommended for medical students and medical practitioners for dealing with questions asked by informed patients." -- The New England Journal of Medicine

• Contents ; 1. Why and What You Should Know ; 2. Too Many or Too Few Chromosomes ; 3. X's and Y's: The Sex Chromosomes ; 4. Chromosome Rearrangements ; 5. Blueprints: You and Your Genes ; 6. How Genes are Transmitted ; 7. Prenatal Diagnosis ; 8. When Good Cells Go Wrong ; 9. Matters of the Heart ; 10. Consequences of a Failure to Diagnose ; 11. Genes Gone Missing ; 12. Earlier and More Severe Genetic Disorders ; 13. The Determination to Have a Healthy Child ; 14. Irrevocability and Acceptance ; 15. Ancestral Genetic Burdens ; 16. Puzzling Fevers ; 17. Bleeding and Clotting ; 18. Blood Vessels that Burst ; 19. Connectivity: Abnormal Brain Connections ; 20. Skin: A Mirror to the Brain ; 21. Genes with Signatures ; 22. Maternal Inheritance and Inevitability ; 23. Harmful Maternal Effects on the Fetus ; 24. Patterns of Anomalies ; 25. Treatment Options ; 26. Sugar and Metals ; 27. Obesity: A Weighty Burden ; 28. Hypertension ; Frequently Asked Questions ; Appendix 1: Cancer Family Syndromes for which Preimplantation Genetic Diagnoses have been Performed ; Appendix 2: Genetic Disorders with Germline Mosacism ; Appendix 3: Disorders with Dynamic Mutations ; Appendix 4: Genetic Disorders that show Anticipation ; Appendix 5: Guidelines for Presymptomatic or Predictive Testing ; Appendix 6: Genetic Disorders in which Dilatation of the Aorta may Occur ; Appendix 7: Genetic Disorders with Imprinting ; Appendix 8: Genetic Resources and Support Organizations ; Index

Aubrey Milunsky, MD, D.S.c. is Professor of Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology, and the Director of the Center for Human Genetics, at Boston University School of Medicine.

"This book is extremely well done. The author's ability to provide unbiased information to the general public is unique and there are very few comparable books. It is an excellent tool not only for genetic counseling, but also to raise awareness of the importance of human genetics in our daily lives." -- Doody's Book Review"A professor and doctor of pediatrics, genetics, and internal medicine, Milunsky...provides a thorough manual invaluable to the layperson trying to determine if a condition is inheritable and how to prevent its passing to future generations. In language that clearly and concisely communicates details of medical treatments and genetics, the reader is instructed in the biology of genetic traits, how mutations are diagnosed, and how to assemble a family healthhistory." -- Publishers Weekly"Dr. Milunsky has provided us the extraordinary gift of a health literate translation of the complex and evolving science of genetics and how this understanding is a critical component of our pursuit of optimal health. This book should be required reading for all professionals and families." --Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States"Dr. Milunsky's book is a welcome guide for individuals, families, and health professionals trying to navigate through the vast and ever-growing body of genetic information available today. I recommend this book for all. It should help us to improve the health literacy of our populations." --Louis W. Sullivan, MD, US Secretary of Health and Human Services, 1989-1993, President Emeritus, Morehouse School of MedicineReviews from Aubrey Milunsky's previous books:"Pediatricians are fortunate to have Benjamin Spock to explain child health to parents. As geneticists, we are lucky to have Aubrey Milunsky to explain genetic health to people." -- The American Journal of Human Genetics"Fascinating, easy to read . . . a valuable contribution. A practitioner would be doing this patient and future generations an important service by calling attention to this book." -- New York Times"Very lucid, accurate, of wide scope . . . Dr. Milunsky is a superbly competent and successful genetic counselor [whose book is] highly recommended for medical students and medical practitioners for dealing with questions asked by informed patients." -- The New England Journal of Medicine

• Contents ; 1. Why and What You Should Know ; 2. Too Many or Too Few Chromosomes ; 3. X's and Y's: The Sex Chromosomes ; 4. Chromosome Rearrangements ; 5. Blueprints: You and Your Genes ; 6. How Genes are Transmitted ; 7. Prenatal Diagnosis ; 8. When Good Cells Go Wrong ; 9. Matters of the Heart ; 10. Consequences of a Failure to Diagnose ; 11. Genes Gone Missing ; 12. Earlier and More Severe Genetic Disorders ; 13. The Determination to Have a Healthy Child ; 14. Irrevocability and Acceptance ; 15. Ancestral Genetic Burdens ; 16. Puzzling Fevers ; 17. Bleeding and Clotting ; 18. Blood Vessels that Burst ; 19. Connectivity: Abnormal Brain Connections ; 20. Skin: A Mirror to the Brain ; 21. Genes with Signatures ; 22. Maternal Inheritance and Inevitability ; 23. Harmful Maternal Effects on the Fetus ; 24. Patterns of Anomalies ; 25. Treatment Options ; 26. Sugar and Metals ; 27. Obesity: A Weighty Burden ; 28. Hypertension ; Frequently Asked Questions ; Appendix 1: Cancer Family Syndromes for which Preimplantation Genetic Diagnoses have been Performed ; Appendix 2: Genetic Disorders with Germline Mosacism ; Appendix 3: Disorders with Dynamic Mutations ; Appendix 4: Genetic Disorders that show Anticipation ; Appendix 5: Guidelines for Presymptomatic or Predictive Testing ; Appendix 6: Genetic Disorders in which Dilatation of the Aorta may Occur ; Appendix 7: Genetic Disorders with Imprinting ; Appendix 8: Genetic Resources and Support Organizations ; Index

Aubrey Milunsky, MD, D.S.c. is Professor of Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology, and the Director of the Center for Human Genetics, at Boston University School of Medicine.

"This book is extremely well done. The author's ability to provide unbiased information to the general public is unique and there are very few comparable books. It is an excellent tool not only for genetic counseling, but also to raise awareness of the importance of human genetics in our daily lives." -- Doody's Book Review"A professor and doctor of pediatrics, genetics, and internal medicine, Milunsky...provides a thorough manual invaluable to the layperson trying to determine if a condition is inheritable and how to prevent its passing to future generations. In language that clearly and concisely communicates details of medical treatments and genetics, the reader is instructed in the biology of genetic traits, how mutations are diagnosed, and how to assemble a family healthhistory." -- Publishers Weekly"Dr. Milunsky has provided us the extraordinary gift of a health literate translation of the complex and evolving science of genetics and how this understanding is a critical component of our pursuit of optimal health. This book should be required reading for all professionals and families." --Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of the United States"Dr. Milunsky's book is a welcome guide for individuals, families, and health professionals trying to navigate through the vast and ever-growing body of genetic information available today. I recommend this book for all. It should help us to improve the health literacy of our populations." --Louis W. Sullivan, MD, US Secretary of Health and Human Services, 1989-1993, President Emeritus, Morehouse School of MedicineReviews from Aubrey Milunsky's previous books:"Pediatricians are fortunate to have Benjamin Spock to explain child health to parents. As geneticists, we are lucky to have Aubrey Milunsky to explain genetic health to people." -- The American Journal of Human Genetics"Fascinating, easy to read . . . a valuable contribution. A practitioner would be doing this patient and future generations an important service by calling attention to this book." -- New York Times"Very lucid, accurate, of wide scope . . . Dr. Milunsky is a superbly competent and successful genetic counselor [whose book is] highly recommended for medical students and medical practitioners for dealing with questions asked by informed patients." -- The New England Journal of Medicine

• Contents ; 1. Why and What You Should Know ; 2. Too Many or Too Few Chromosomes ; 3. X's and Y's: The Sex Chromosomes ; 4. Chromosome Rearrangements ; 5. Blueprints: You and Your Genes ; 6. How Genes are Transmitted ; 7. Prenatal Diagnosis ; 8. When Good Cells Go Wrong ; 9. Matters of the Heart ; 10. Consequences of a Failure to Diagnose ; 11. Genes Gone Missing ; 12. Earlier and More Severe Genetic Disorders ; 13. The Determination to Have a Healthy Child ; 14. Irrevocability and Acceptance ; 15. Ancestral Genetic Burdens ; 16. Puzzling Fevers ; 17. Bleeding and Clotting ; 18. Blood Vessels that Burst ; 19. Connectivity: Abnormal Brain Connections ; 20. Skin: A Mirror to the Brain ; 21. Genes with Signatures ; 22. Maternal Inheritance and Inevitability ; 23. Harmful Maternal Effects on the Fetus ; 24. Patterns of Anomalies ; 25. Treatment Options ; 26. Sugar and Metals ; 27. Obesity: A Weighty Burden ; 28. Hypertension ; Frequently Asked Questions ; Appendix 1: Cancer Family Syndromes for which Preimplantation Genetic Diagnoses have been Performed ; Appendix 2: Genetic Disorders with Germline Mosacism ; Appendix 3: Disorders with Dynamic Mutations ; Appendix 4: Genetic Disorders that show Anticipation ; Appendix 5: Guidelines for Presymptomatic or Predictive Testing ; Appendix 6: Genetic Disorders in which Dilatation of the Aorta may Occur ; Appendix 7: Genetic Disorders with Imprinting ; Appendix 8: Genetic Resources and Support Organizations ; Index