Derobertis, E., and others: "Homeobox Genes and the Vertebrate Body Plan," Scientific American, July 1990, pages 46–52. An account of the discovery of the genes that subdivide animal embryos along the head-to-tail axis into fields of cells that eventually develop into antennae, limbs, and other structures.

Douglas, K.: "Making Friends with Death Wish Genes," New Scientist, vol. 143, July 1994, pages 31–34. A hot area of cancer research involves attempts to activate genes triggering programmed cell death within cancer cells.

Gould, S.J.: "Geoffroy and the Homeobox," Natural History, November 1985, pages 12–23. An entertaining account of the French zoologist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire’s attempt in the 1830s to establish a connection between insect segments and mammalian vertebrae, just the relationship we now believe to be dictated by homeotic genes.

Hart, S.: "The Drama of Cell Death," BioScience, July 1994, pages 451–55. An engaging account of research on the genes that govern programmed cell death, genes that play key roles in development and cancer.

McGinnis, W. and M. Kuziora: "The Molecular Architects of Body Design," Scientific American, February 1994, pages 58–66. An account of research on homeotic genes, which govern pattern formation in much the same way in all animals.

Patel, N.: "Developmental Evolution: Insights from Studies of Insect Segmentation," Science, vol. 266, October 1994,
pages 581–90. A review of what we know about how the genes governing pattern formation have been conserved during evolution.

Rennie, J.: "Supersonic: A Gene Named for a Video Game Guides Development," Scientific American 1994, page 20-21. A brief account of new findings in research into limb development. Key genes make signaling proteins that influence nearby cells.

Ricklefs, R. E. and C. E. Finch: Aging: A Natural History, Scientific American Library, 1995. A readable account of current theories of aging, from an evolutionary perspective.

Steller, H.: "Mechanisms and Genes of Cellular Suicide," Science, March 1995, pages 1445–49. A review of the fast-emerging field of apoptosis, programmed cell death, which is now known to play a major role in many diseases, including cancer and AIDS.

Various authors: "Patterns of Aging," Science, vol. 273, July 1996. A special issue devoted entirely to aging, with reports covering all major areas of current research.