Books in Ask the Experts series

The advances that have been made in the realm of genetics are astounding. Not only has the entire human genome been mapped, but scientists have also discovered methods of modifying genes in people as well as plants and animals. With this progress has come a great debate about the ethics of genetic modification. People wonder if there should be limits to altering nature. Readers explore basic concepts of cellular biology, including DNA and genes. Then they are guided though the differing sides of the genetics debate and encouraged to take their own informed stance on the issues.

The economy often seems like a complex subject. We know that much of the world is currently struggling with recession and its consequences. News headlines spotlight job gains and losses, rising debt, and every economic detail that may give us a clue about a full financial recovery. Meanwhile, frustrated people protest in streets and rail against institutions they blame for the current economic climate. Easy-to-understand terms explain what led to the economic crisis and what's being done to pull the United States and other countries out. While there are no easy answers, readers will be able to develop informed opinions about the issues.

We usually think of GPS (Global Positioning System) as a good thing, especially if we're using it to find our way from place to place. GPS satellites, radio signals, and receivers work together to pinpoint our location and get us to our destination. Hikers, bicyclists, and even golfers are finding ways to use GPS to improve their athletic experiences. The military installs GPS in many kinds of equipment, vehicles, and weaponry. GPS has surprising applications as well, such as tracking animals for conservation efforts. But many people are suspicious of this technology, especially when it's used to locate them without their consent. Many aspects of the GPS debate are explained, giving readers the ability decide for themselves where, when, and how satellite positioning should be used.

The population of Earth has exploded over the last 100 years. The planet now supports about 7 billion people, and this overwhelming number has many repercussions. Alternative energy resources and the costs of healthcare have become urgent matters. Questions about how to feed, clothe, and house a growing population demand answers. Poverty and overpopulation are no longer just problems for third-world countries but issues that need to be addressed in our own communities. Readers are presented with the many topics surrounding world population and the questions that experts are asking. Also highlighted are suggested solutions, some as radical as setting up colonies on other planets.