Changing Society: A Social and Spiritual Vision for the Year 2020 and Beyond addresses the five traditional social institutions (marriage and family, religion, education, politics, and economics) as well as other important social institutions (health care, race, ethnicity, and technology). The editor and contributors provide keen social insights as they consider the current dynamics as well as the historical and future issues of each of these social institutions. This book is unique in that each of the writers approaches their topic from vast professional expertise and from great spiritual awareness (that is, such things as values, essence, meaning, and purpose). With the intention of focus and clarity and by projecting into the year 2020, one can appreciate how Vision 2020 as part of the book's title captures a double entendre.

The new field of applied genetic research, genetic toxicology and mutation research investigates the muta- genicity and cancerogenicity of chemicals and other agents. Permanent changes in genes and chromosomes, or genome mutations, can be induced by a plethora of agents, including ionizing and nonionizing radiations, chemicals, and viruses. Mutagenesis research has two aims: (1) to understand the molecular mechanisms leading to mutations, and (2) to prevent a thoughtless introduction of mutagenic agents into our environment. Both aspects, namely, basic and applied, will be treated in the new series Advances in Mutagenesis Research.