Numerical Taxonomy of Birth Defects and Polygenic Disorders

This volume contains papers presented at a conference held at the Jackson Laboratory in 1976 under the auspices of the National Foundation. The papers deal with several extremely interesting observations and ideas that support the notion that senescence is genetically controlled. Even if the reader has not been previously acquainted with the literature on aging, this book will provide a readable introduction to the field. References are numerous and complete. The illustrations are of high caliber. Many articles conclude with brief summaries of remarks and criticism made by conference participants during the discussion period following the talks. Papers are grouped according to general subject and deal, for example, with aging at cellular, neuroendocrine, and molecular levels. The book admirably succeeds in presenting the state of current research where the fields of aging and genetics overlap. Unanswered questions and queries that have not previously been posed are also articulated. The volume is recommended for researchers and students interested in these fields.