Synopsis Genetic engineering could be a boon to sustainable farming or an ecological nightmare, a path to human perfection or a march towards eugenic dystopia. Plants may be transformed into miniature factories producing plastics, medicines or perfumes. Animals with human genes may provide hearts and other organs for critically ill people. Scientists have cloned animals and human cloning may not be far behind. For better or for worse, genetic engineering will affect the major environmental problems of our times – overpopulation, pollution, erosion and the rapid loss of biodiversity. Therefore, we will review the development of this technology, noting the wide range of its applications and anticipating future directions in research. This book is essential reading for undergraduate and post-graduate students of biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry.