The Spider Silk Scientists, readers enter Randy Lewis' lab where they come face to face with golden orb weaver spiders and genetically engineered goats, whose milk contains the proteins to spin spider silk--and to weave a nearly indestructible fiber. Learn how this amazing material might someday be used to repair or replace human ligaments and bones, improve body armor, strengthen parachute rope, and even tether an airplane to an aircraft carrier! Readers explore rapid advancements in the application of genetic medicine and their potential to save and improve lives while considering the crucial ethical concerns of genetic research. A timely addition to the acclaimed Scientists in the Field series.

Spider silk : stronger than steel -- Banana spider -- Spider goat, spider goat -- Born on the Fourth of July -- Silk milk -- Potential spider silk products -- Growing silk? Experimenting with alfalfa -- Fun activity : isolate DNA from strawberries! -- Spider silk ... from silkworms? -- Silkworms : no longer wild and free -- The hunt for spider silk genes -- Different types of silk -- Dragline silk -- From bacteria to goats -- E.coli in the lab -- Transgenic organisms : ethical concerns and lifesaving possibilities -- Be a part of the discussion -- Spinning spider silk -- A new lab : Utah -- Spider ... cotton? -- All my kids -- Have you guessed what the first spider silk product will be? -- Space spiders.