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  • © 2021

Life and Its Future

  • Introduction to a complex area of research for general readers

  • Deals with origin and evolution of life

  • Written by experts in the field

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 1-5
  3. Early Ideas About the Origin of Life

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 7-9
  4. The Scientific View of the Origin of Life

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 11-33
  5. Biological Evolution

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 35-55
  6. Manipulated Evolution and Artificial Life

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 57-73
  7. Natural Risks to Life

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 75-95
  8. Human-Made Risks from Nuclear and Chemical Warfare

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 97-116
  9. Human-Made Risks and Climate Change with Global Heating

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 117-148
  10. Artificial Intelligence: Opportunity or Risk?

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 149-157
  11. Life on Other Planets

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 159-167
  12. Outlook

    • Josephine C. Adams, Jürgen Engel
    Pages 169-171
  13. Back Matter

    Pages 173-178

About this book

This book is aimed at those who wish to understand more about the molecular basis of life and how life on earth may change in coming centuries. Readers of this book will gain knowledge of how life began on Earth, the natural processes that have led to the great diversity of biological organisms that exist today, recent research into the possibility of life on other planets, and how the future of life on earth faces unprecedented pressures from human-made activities. Readers will obtain a perspective on the potential risks of chemical or nuclear warfare, and the ever-increasing risks from human activities that are causing pollution and climate change with global heating. Readers will also learn about ongoing research efforts to generate “designer lifeforms” through synthetic biology and applications of artificial intelligence. The book makes an integrated, up-to-date, overview of topics often considered as separate fields. It should be valuable to students, teachers, and people who are concerned about the future of life.


Authors and Affiliations

  • School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Josephine C. Adams

  • Biophysikalische Chemie, Biozentrum of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    Jürgen Engel

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access