Inspiration struck Gennady Ermak at a 2005 seminar on advancements in stem cell technology.

The USC Davis School of Gerontology research assistant professor realized that many of the professionals in attendance did not understand the basics of stem cell research.

After surmising the same must be true for the lay population, he sought a way to better inform people about new medical technologies.

The result is Modern Science & Future Medicine, a 102-page paperback that explains scientific advances such as stem cell research, nanomedicine, pharmacogenomics, cloning and gene therapy in clear prose for the non-scientist to understand and appreciate.

“These technologies ignite public debate and discussions as to whether they should be used or permitted,” Ermak said. “In order to make informed decisions, one has to understand the problem.”

Ermak provided a brief overview of the technologies covered in the book.

Stem cell technology employs stem cells to treat diseases or conditions. The cells can renew themselves and give rise to specialized cells. Embryonic stem cells originate from embryos that are usually five-to-six days old.

Nanomedicine is the medical technology involved with objects, materials or devices that have one or more critical dimensions between 0.1 and 100 nanometers.

Pharmacogenics analyzes how the genetic makeup of an individual affects his or her response to drugs. Pharmacogenomics is also called pharmacogenetics. As the word suggests, it combines knowledge about pharmacology (drugs) and genetics.

Reproductive cloning is the process of creating a genetically identical copy of an existing organism. Therapeutic cloning is the process of creating a body or organ that genetically matches an existing organism.

Gene therapies are the treatments of diseases by repairing or reconstructing the genetic material.

Ermak is the author of more than 30 original research articles and is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, Society of Neuroscience and the Oxygen Society. He is also currently the invited reviewer for the journal Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine.

Modern Science and Future Medicine is available at http:// www.amazon.com and through its publisher at http://www.booksurge.com