Glossary of Biotechnology and Nanobiotechnology Terms [Review]

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	Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship
	Spring 2006

	DOI:10.29173/istl2057



      

    Book Reviews
  Glossary of Biotechnology and Nanobiotechnology Terms
    
Eleanor Randall
  Baron-Forness Library
  Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
  Edinboro, Pennsylvania 16444
eprandall@edinboro.edu  
    


    

      


Glossary of Biotechnology and Nanobiotechnology Terms, Fourth Edition, Kimball R. Nill  ISBN 0-8493-6609-7 Taylor and Francis Books, CRC Press, November 2005, 402 pages. Hardcover $89.95.  
   Modern biotechnology and nanobiotechnology have emerged from the confines   of the research laboratory to find their place in numerous applications that   affect the global human community. It is essential that the associated terminology   be available and in a form that not only defines, but clarifies meaning through   examples and related terms. Kimball Nill's The Glossary of Biotechnology   and Nanobiotechnoloy Terms, fourth edition, occupies a niche in biotechnology   information publishing which fulfills these requirements.   

 Initially, The Glossary... was a response to an in-house need   for information to facilitate communication between researchers and other   professionals such as marketers, lawyers and public relations personnel. I   agree with the publisher's statement that it is intended for "anyone working   directly or indirectly with those pioneering the frontiers of modern biology."   This book would be essential for the industry worker and the advanced student   in one of the many biotechnology fields. Clearly, these individuals, by association,   would be exposed to a number of recurring biological and chemical discussions.   

 Despite my initial review of the terms, the elaborations, and the examples,   I found that the reference described as "designed for people with little or   no training in the biological and chemical science" is misleading. Very few   individuals without considerable interest and/or experience in biotechnology   would understand the "definitions based on analogy, with the inherent possibility   of over-simplification."  

 However, the interest generated in the general public by newspapers and   popular magazines and the determination of many to understand what is going   on and how it may affect their future and the future of humanity, drives the   need for explanations. A Google search quickly displays pages involving the   general public/ non-science educated person. The national Nanotechnology Initiative   provides resources for students K-12! The question is, are there other sources   which would be adequate for this defined readership? The fact is that some   of these individuals would benefit from the analogies provided, but they are   not the main audience for this book.   

 I was unable to find a current, comparably inclusive glossary/ dictionary   with which to make a comparison. The Facts on file Dictionary of Biotechnology   and Genetic Engineering (2001), has a narrow focus and is out of date.   The 2005 Choice Outstanding Academic title was Academic Scientific Publishers   Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. (www.aspbs.com/enn.html).   While current, it does not have the same function as The Glossary...  

 Students in science and engineering would appreciate the features which   make The Glossary of Biotechnology and Nanobiotechnology Terms a   true glossary. The "see also references" are extensive and add to the ease   of understanding the meaning and the context in which they are applied. The   all caps format of the see also references is distracting in that   it gave the appearance of a larger font than the main entries. These extensive   cross-references would be ideal in an online format. I was surprised when   an early version (Biotechterms.org. (2001) did appear as a result of a Google   search.   

 Mr. Nills' credentials and experiences are reflected in The Glossary...   Currently, he is the Technical Issues Director of the American Soybean Associations'   International Marketing Division. Many of the analogies and examples presented   are agriculturally based. In this 4th edition, Mr. Kimball added "nanotech"   terms that are relevant to biotechnology.   

 As I began this review, I needed a clearer definition of nanobiotechnology   and its relationship with bionanotechnology. Interestingly, the title term   nanobiotechnology was not included in The Glossary and, in the preface,   one finds the term bionanotechnology used. I recommend the Glossary of Biotechnology   and Nanobiotechnology Terms, 4th ed. for mainly academic library collection,   at least with upper division students, as a solid attempt to keep current   on the terminology which is evolving so rapidly.   

      

  

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