Bridget Heos

An introduction to the field of genetics is told through the story of Randy Lewis and his work with golden orb weaver spiders as well as his subsequent creation of artificial spider silk that can be used to save and improve lives. 20,000 first printing.

Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vests, Sutures, and Parachute Rope

Stronger Than Steel

Amanda Kordeliski

This book was fascinating and on its way to a solid four star rating until I hit the middle of the book. In the middle section, Heos introduces bio-engineered food with a very brief mention of Monsanto. The explanation for why people are opposed to Monsanto are only briefly addressed and presented in a dismissive manner. The same occurs a few pages later with the topic of animal testing. The view presented is clearly bias toward Monsanto and animal testing, which I would be ok with as long as the other side was addressed, but it is not.

The spider on the cover is deceiving, this is not a book to give a student wanting books about spiders. The focus is really on genetics and creating transgenic goats/silk worms/alfalfa and not really about the spiders. An interesting read and a great conversation starter for scientific ethics but I would include another book that gives the opposing viewpoint when recommending this title.

Stronger Than Steel Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vests, Sutures, and Parachute Rope

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