ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores human interest in animals. It focuses on benefits to human health and well-being that can possibly be derived from a deeper understanding of their evolutionary characteristics. For example, human visual perception can be greatly enhanced by microscopes, by binoculars and by advanced telescopes built to explore the universe. The book discusses the question whether human physiology and medicine could benefit from a closer study of highly specialized and well-functioning animal capabilities. It analyses a few examples of special adaptations made by living species to extreme conditions on the planet Earth. The book reviews genetic engineering technologies that are already in use or hold the promise of future transfer of capabilities from animals to humans.
