LeVine (a Cornell biochemist who worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 28 years) presents an update of the reference first published in 1999 for a general readership or high school or junior college students. It is not meant to teach GE methods but to introduce major concepts in the modification of genes in plants, animals, and humans. Specific topics include the impact of GE on health and privacy, DNA and the law, biowarfare and bioterrorism, genetically modified foods, and the sources of the stem-cell debate. The author outlines what he believes to be solutions to many of the problems discussed, and topics are presented separately from US and worldwide standpoints. Additional chapters contain a chronology of milepost achievements; biographical sketches; and key facts, data, and opinion. The final two chapters comprise a directory of GE-related organizations, associations, and agencies, and a list of resources for further reading. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)