Houdebine (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) explains for microbiology students the basic concepts and method of manipulating animal genetics for the purpose of permanently altering the species (transgenesis) or creating reproductions of an individual (cloning). Beginning with a discussion of genome composition, the text looks at major techniques of genetic engineering and discusses methods and applications of cloning, gene therapy, and transgenesis. A final chapter discusses the technical and theoretical limits of the methodologies, as well as some of their risks to the environment and human beings.