EVEN AS human-induced extinction depletes the Earth's biodiversity, frantic efforts are on to minimise this depreciation. Many see the science of genetics as a genie that can be commanded to fabricate extinct creatures out of fossils. This book quells such misconceptions. This compilation of scientific papers exorcises such sensationalistic myths and reexamines the role of genetics in conservation biology in a pragmatic manner.

The book begins by discussing the major contributors to the loss of biodiversity. Anthropogenic factors such as unrestrained land development reduce the habitat area and quality and fragment the remaining land into discontinuous