The Genetics of Pain

Book excerpt: Genetics more than any other biological approach can explain why some people experience more pain than others and receive less benefit from existing analgesics. Sixteen scholarly articles from international contributors describe the application of genetic techniques to the problem of pain and consider the knowledge that has so far resulted. Three themed sections review the techniques that are allowing the study of pain mechanisms at the genetic level; describe the progress being made in lab animals and humans in identifying the genes responsible for individual differences; and explore the practical and ethical issues that face pain researchers. The editor is associated with the Centre for Research on Pain, McGill U., Montreal. Annotation : 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).