{"title":"Richard C. Francis","description":"\u003cp\u003eRichard C. Francis is a celebrated author and biologist renowned for his engaging works that bridge the gap between scientific exploration and accessible reading. His books offer readers a fascinating insight into the world of biology, bringing complex subjects to life with clarity and wit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eDomesticated\u003c\/em\u003e, Francis delves into the evolutionary journey of domesticated animals, exploring how they have been shaped by, and have in turn shaped, human history. This book is a captivating look at the symbiotic relationships that have developed over centuries, making it an intriguing read for anyone interested in the origins and impacts of our closest animal companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis groundbreaking book, \u003cem\u003eEpigenetics\u003c\/em\u003e, sheds light on the revolutionary field of epigenetics, challenging the traditional views of Darwinian evolution by introducing the concept of gene expression being influenced by environmental factors. This work provides a fresh perspective on heredity, evolution, and the plasticity of life—an essential read for those intrigued by the dynamics of genetics and molecular biology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRichard C. Francis's books are perfect for readers eager to explore the wonders of Science \u0026amp; Nature through expertly penned narratives that spark curiosity and deepen understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"domesticated-by-richard-c-francis-9780393353037","title":"Domesticated","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithout our domesticated plants and animals, human civilisation as we know it would not exist. We would still be living at subsistence level as hunter-gatherers if not for domestication. It is no accident that the cradle of civilisation—the Middle East—is where sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, and cats commenced their fatefully intimate association with humans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the agricultural revolution, there were perhaps 10 million humans on earth. Now there are more than 7 billion of us. Our domesticated species have also thrived, in stark contrast to their wild ancestors. In a human-constructed environment—or man-made world—it pays to be domesticated. Domestication is an evolutionary process first and foremost. What most distinguishes domesticated animals from their wild ancestors are genetic alterations resulting in tameness, the capacity to tolerate close human proximity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut selection for tameness often results in a host of seemingly unrelated by-products, including floppy ears, skeletal alterations, reduced aggression, increased sociality, and reduced brain size. It's a package deal known as the domestication syndrome. Elements of the domestication syndrome can be found in every domesticated species—not only cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, cattle, and horses but also more recent human creations, such as domesticated camels, reindeer, and laboratory rats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat domestication results in this suite of changes in such a wide variety of mammals is a fascinating evolutionary story, one that sheds much light on the evolutionary process in general. We humans, too, show signs of the domestication syndrome, which some believe was key to our evolutionary success. By this view, human evolution parallels the evolution of dogs from wolves, in particular.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA natural storyteller, Richard C. Francis weaves history, archaeology, and anthropology to create a fascinating narrative while seamlessly integrating the most cutting-edge ideas in twenty-first-century biology, from genomics to evo-devo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDomesticated\u003c\/em\u003e by Richard C. Francis explores this captivating story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Wiley and Sons Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46854460145900,"sku":"9780393353037","price":56.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780393353037.jpg?v=1759242944"},{"product_id":"epigenetics-by-richard-c-francis-9780393342284","title":"Epigenetics","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe burgeoning new science of epigenetics offers a cornucopia of insights—some comforting, some frightening. For example, the male fetus may be especially vulnerable to certain common chemicals in our environment, in ways that damage not only his own sperm but also the sperm of his sons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt's epigenetics that causes identical twins to vary widely in their susceptibility to dementia and cancer. But here's the good news: unlike mutations, epigenetic effects are reversible. Indeed, epigenetic engineering is the future of medicine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEpigenetics\u003c\/em\u003e by Richard C. Francis delves into these compelling discoveries, exploring how our genes are influenced by external factors and what this means for the future of medicine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46854499959020,"sku":"9780393342284","price":31.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780393342284.jpg?v=1759244317"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/richard-c-francis.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}