Book excerpt: Recent developments within molecular biology and genetic engineering have led to huge advances and changes within the biological sciences especially within the field of human genetics. Diagnostic Techniques in Genetics offers an important overview of how DNA or RNA technology may be applied to a large set of genetic diagnoses. The first part of the book focuses on DNA/RNA applications and includes many of the latest developments in the field combined with routine procedures of genetic diagnoses, for example cloning and sequencing DNA. The DNA applications presented in the first chapter are then each applied to a specific kind of genetic diagnosis and the text concludes with a chapter devoted to population genetics. First published in French by Dunod in 2002, this book is an excellent reference for students taking courses in molecular biology, medicine and medical genetics. It is also a useful introduction for postgraduate students and researchers in the field who require a general overview of genetic diagnoses.