| Product: |
Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters - Matt Ridley |
| Date: |
17/06/07 (118 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Good introduction to genetics that could be enjoyed by laymen and those with a genetics background
Disadvantages: Might be slightly outdated now as genetics will have moved on, but this is only a very slight issue.
Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters is written by Matt Ridley who received his doctorate from Oxford University. As popular science books go, it might seem from its rather dry title to be one to leave on the shelf, but it is, instead, an enjoyable introduction to the subject of genetics.
Genetics is a fairly modern field and for many it must seem a mysterious and dangerous one. This book serves as a brief, but insightful introduction to the subject without ever resorting to being patronising. The preface gives the basic information about DNA and genes needed by the completely unitiated, but is short and snappy so as not to overload a complete layman with information or bore a more knowledgeable reader.
Ridley cleverly manages to continue to write in the same vein throughout the book. He gives a lot of technical information, but much of it can be overlooked or understood at only a very basic level for his point to still be made, providing interesting reading for a casual reader new to genetics or someone with a bit more starting knowledge.
He structures the book in a unique way, too. He has 23 chapters, corresponding to the 23 sets of chromosomes in the human body and for each chapter uses a gene off the corresponding chromosome to discuss a particular issue. His chapters are:
1. Life
2. Species
3. History
4. Fate
5. Environment
6. Intelligence
7. Instinct
X and Y Conflict
8. Self-interest
9. Disease
10. Stress
11. Personality
12. Self-Assembly
13. Pre-History
14. Immorality
15. Sex
16. Memory
17. Death
18. Cures
19. Prevention
20. Politics
21. Eugenics
22. Free-will
His approach to the topic ensures that the book doesn't read like a dry, stodgy textbook, but is engaging as it explores beyond just the technical details of the genome and highlights the effects our genes have on us, both as individuals and as a species. His early chapters tend to give more basic information than later chapters by which point it is assumed that you have a general idea of what constitutes the genome. He cleverly leaves the prickly issues of politics and eugenics until the end of the book, issues which could similarly have been tackled early on, even in the preface. However, leaving them until the last gasp means the reader has the tools to consider them in an informed manner.
Ridley writes with humour, sensitivity and passion. He clearly loves his subject, but also understands that the public can be easily led to fear it through the media and politics. He addresses issues that need to be addressed and manages to consider both the views of the science community and of the public at large. He doesn't ignore concerns about genetics and highlights areas where problems could arise, but similarly dispels popular myths and points out how sensationalism caused by the media and politicians can do far more harm than good at times.
Many of his chapters focus on areas of research that would definately not immediately spring to mind when considering genetics, such as stress and how job rank can affect your health, but this adds charm to his work and effectively illustrates just how deep the currents of genetics run. Our genes really do effect us in ways we might not initially imagine. I think the fact that he often picks out 'obscure' issues such as this to examine means that the book will appeal to even those with, for example, degrees in genetics, just as it will to the untrained audience.
The book can be heavy going in parts, though. Especially towards the end, I found my attention sometimes waning after getting slightly bogged under by technicalities and although the book is aimed at a popular audience and therefore wont thoroughly confuse the unitiated, it certainly isn't some light, bed-time reading.
However, it is well worth the effort, especially for those who have little or no knowledge of genetics as major issues have arisen in the past, are continuing to rise now and will continue to rise in the future that are inextricably linked with genetics (GM crops being an obvious example), and having a basic grounding in the science can only prove helpful. Genome really is the perfect introductory text. Its never boring or patronising, nor is it unintelligibly complex or over-long. At an RRP of £8.99 it'll hardly break the bank, either and it'll also make you look quite intelligent if you read it on the commute to work!
Of course, genetics research is fast-moving and since it was first published in 1999, it might be slightly out of date in parts, now, but I don't think this is anything that would bother (or be noticed by) anyone other than a geneticist. Since this book isn't a scientific paper or a textbook aimed at honours level genetics students, it being slightly out of date wouldn't matter at all, and the points that Ridley makes in his book would still hold in general even if some of the specific technicalities may have proved false since he wrote some of the chapters.
Summary: Matt Ridley's introduction to genetics written for a popular audience.
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