[Bee] Genetics 101

[Neils]

So, where do you start?

At a basic level I get the concepts, but where does your average layman go to get a better understanding of the terminology and basic principles behind genetics? I'm not expecting to turn into Dawkins overnight, god knows (haha!) I can argue with myself for lack of another opponent as it is but I would like to improve my knowledge around this area.

[gavin]

Maybe I should write a book?!

Tom Rinderer has already done so of course, and I thought that I might buy a copy to see what it says. Well, strictly he edited it as it is a multi-author thing.

If it is just basic genetic terminology you're after then maybe Wikipedia? The principles might take longer. But if 426 pages doesn't put you off ....

Bee Genetics and Breeding

[Neils]

The number of pages doesn't put me off, the thought that by page two I'll be going cross eyed because it's just introduced another concept I don't understand and will have to get my head around before I can go any further just might.

I'm not sure that it's a particularly good analogy, but I develop application software. I have a huge bookshelf full of books most cover fairly specific "nerdy" elements of the type of stuff that I tend to write.

I also have a book called "Code Complete". You could pick that book up tomorrow having never written a word of code in your life and understand the principles of what is required to write a piece of software. You wouldn't be able to because it doesn't actually cover any of the syntax, terminology, requirements etc etc of actually writing the software itself but it comprehensively describes the principles, processes and procedures that you need to take into account when you first sit down and decide to go beyond writing "hello world".

[gavin]

Why not just ask questions here as they occur to you? I don't know of a genetics textbook that captures the essence in the way you describe. Maybe there is one, but I haven't looked. What's in my head, and Jimbo's and Margie's and others can be yours if you ask the right questions (and we supply the right answers!).

G.

[Neils]

the only problems with the questions as they occur to me is that I immediately think I should just go try and look it up on the web and stop being a lazy bugger.

I think I might tuck this subject away for a little bit until I've cleared some of the more pressing backlog like finishing the talk I'm supposed to be delivering in two weeks time!

[gavin]

We'll still be here!

[Neils]

I might not be! Panic is starting to set in now. It's been 15 years since I last gave a presentation and I wrote that one in about 2 hours. I've spent 2 months on this one and it's still rubbish.

Maybe I should just go and talk to people instead and stop over thinking it.

[beebreeder]

How about "Breeding Techniques and Selection for Breeding of the Honeybee" by Friedrich Ruttner, its not all genetics but does keep thing in a more practical vein. Bee Genetics and Bee Breeding gets heavy going because of the constant referrals to other work. Just thought of Background to Beebreeding by John Atkinson.
kev

[Neils]

Thanks the for the recommendation beebreeder I'll take a look at that one too, just realised that it's coming up to winter again and I could do with a few new books to keep me company.

[beebreeder]

Neil
Get someone in the audience to ask a question or two, that seems to help.
And Christmas
Neil, its kev by the way