Review of
Instaread Summary of The Gene An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Five out of five stars
This is a summary of the science of genetics, from how
genes are stored and expressed to how that expression creates abnormalities and
the problems can be treated. The explanations start with Charles Darwin and
Gregor Mendel, two of the pioneers of genetic understanding. Mendel developed
numerical data that established the fundamental understanding of dominant and
recessive genes and Darwin used observational data to argue that species change
over time in adapting to their environments.
The real
significance of the book is the more recent advancements in the understanding
of genetics, specifically how certain genes are expressed in the organism. This
is where it then becomes possible to effectively act on the knowledge of
genetics, creating organisms that produce desired proteins as well as
developing effective treatments for illnesses caused by faulty genes.
There is also
coverage of how genetics has been misused by social organizations and governments.
People considered genetically undesirable were sterilized and even euthanized
in a misguided attempt to improve the human species.
There is great
promise and great danger in the manipulation of genetic material. This summary
can be considered a primer on both when the book is described.
This book was received for free for review purposes.
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