Bartecchi, C. E., and others: "The Global Tobacco Epidemic," Scientific American, May 1995, pages 44–51. Cigarette smoking has stopped declining in the United States and is rising elsewhere in the world.

"Cancer," Scientific American, vol. 273, September 1996. An entire issue devoted to reviewing the current status of the war against cancer.

Cavenee, W. K., and R. L. White: "The Genetic Basis of Cancer," Scientific American, March 1995, pages 72–79. An accumulation of gene mutations causes normal cells to become cancerous.

Federoff, N.: "Transposable Genetic Elements in Maize," Scientific American, June 1984, pages 85–98. An excellent introduction to the studies for which Barbara McClintock was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, rephrased in molecular terms that were not available when she made her important discoveries.

Greider, C., and E. Blackburn: "Telomeres, Telomerase, and Cancer," Scientific American, vol. 274, February 1996, pages 92–97. An unusual enzyme called telomerase counteracts the telomere shortening associated with cessation of cell division.

Hartwell, L., and M. Kastan: "Cell Cycle Control and Cancer," Science, December 1994, pages 1721–28. Recent advances in our understanding of the cell cycle reveal how mutations can alter control of the cycle, leading to unrestrained growth.

Liotta, L.: "Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis," Scientific American, February 1992, pages 54–63. An up-to-date account of what is known about what makes a tumor cell metastatic.

Miki, Y., and others: "A Strong Candidate for the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility Gene BRCA1," Science, October 1994, pages 66–71. A landmark research report that represents the first major success in solving the mystery of breast cancer.

Varmus, H., and R. A. Weinberg: Genes and the Biology of Cancer, Scientific American Library, New York, 1993. Two famous cancer researchers present a first-hand view of cancer. Highly recommended.

Weinberg, R.: Racing to the Beginning of the Road—The Search for the Origin of Cancer. Harmony Books, New York, 1996. An extremely well-written account of the history of cancer research, by a key investigator. Highly recommended.