Mary Shelley's Frankestein, a tale crafted two centuries ago 'to awaken thrilling horror', is a story that speaks to deep fears and desires that lie at the heart of our responses to biological progress. Tracing the history of the development of biological science and how it has been received and understood by the public over two centuries, Turney's intriguing book argues that the Frankenstein story governs much of today's debate about the onrushing new age of biotechnology. 'a serious and fascinating contribution to cultural history' Mary Warnock, Times Higher Education Supplement 'This is a fascinating book, interweaving accounts of literature and popular culture with accounts of the growth of modern biology.' John Polkinghorne, University of Cambridge. 'This is an important book - elegantly written - as it helps us to understand public attitudes to biological research.' Lewwis Wolpert, Times 'Combining the research skills of an historian with the writing skills of a fine journalist, Turney offers a penetrating history that sheds light on contemporary anxieties of the biotechnological age.' Dorothy Nelkin, New York University ' ... a large and compelling subject, of surpassing interest at the present time and likely to remain so for many years to come.' James Secord, University of Cambridge Winner of the British Medical Association Book Prize, 1999. Jon Turney, formerly science editor of the Times Higher Education Supplement, is now senior lecturer in science communication in the department of science and technology studies at University College London.