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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in early May.
Beyond its circular Mondrian cover lies a textbook's worth of biological history and genetic theory from one of the most patient, yet inquisitive voices in non-fiction literature today. Mukherjee tells of the lives of Darwin, Paul Berg, Oswald "Fess" Avery, Mendel, and dozens of flash in the evolutional pan contributors to the human genome.
Beyond its circular Mondrian cover lies a textbook's worth of biological history and genetic theory from one of the most patient, yet inquisitive voices in non-fiction literature today. Mukherjee tells of the lives of Darwin, Paul Berg, Oswald "Fess" Avery, Mendel, and dozens of flash in the evolutional pan contributors to the human genome.
I loved the history section of this one. It presented the history of genetics in a way that acknowledged the unique genius of names we know while also discussing how racism, sexism, and other misconceptions and happenstance of the time impacted them.
This lead nicely into the much more ethics-focused second half. I think good, thoughtful, looks at history can give us such a good view of what we tend to do well and what we tend to do wrong. Getting out of the current moment makes the effects of confirmation bias and the current culture so easy to spot.
A few favorite tidbits:
-Mendel only did the fundamental genetics experiment with peas because he failed the biology teaching exam twice, and the monks thought using mice was too risque.
-Darwin was figuring out natural selection at about the same time: the two theories really completed each other but nobody really put it together, even when they presented at the same conference.
-Mendel's style was small-scale deliberate experimentation and Darwin's was large-scale intuitive theorizing. Both were extremely valuable and important.
-Men really did some mental gymnastics to feel more important than women. The first time sperm was seen under a microscope, it was thought to be an entire tiny 'homunculus.' This theory claimed that men carried all inheritable information and women were basically just ovens. The funny thing about this theory, is that it was miniature people all the way down.
This lead nicely into the much more ethics-focused second half. I think good, thoughtful, looks at history can give us such a good view of what we tend to do well and what we tend to do wrong. Getting out of the current moment makes the effects of confirmation bias and the current culture so easy to spot.
A few favorite tidbits:
-Mendel only did the fundamental genetics experiment with peas because he failed the biology teaching exam twice, and the monks thought using mice was too risque.
-Darwin was figuring out natural selection at about the same time: the two theories really completed each other but nobody really put it together, even when they presented at the same conference.
-Mendel's style was small-scale deliberate experimentation and Darwin's was large-scale intuitive theorizing. Both were extremely valuable and important.
-Men really did some mental gymnastics to feel more important than women. The first time sperm was seen under a microscope, it was thought to be an entire tiny 'homunculus.' This theory claimed that men carried all inheritable information and women were basically just ovens. The funny thing about this theory, is that it was miniature people all the way down.
As someone without any background in genetics, I found this book well-written, very informing and overall fascinating! At points, the scientific material can be hard to get your head around, but the author manages to keep you hooked to the book. Definitely worth the time and effort!
challenging
informative
slow-paced
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
thorough and profound. would've preferred more science vs history.
topics include: squidging, mitochondrial eve, interracial diversity, olfactory receptors, US eugenics in the 1920s
topics include: squidging, mitochondrial eve, interracial diversity, olfactory receptors, US eugenics in the 1920s
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Monumental work - one that requires stamina and endurance to fully absorb and appreciate, and so so rewarding; wealth of information about the history, recent past and the new frontiers that we can only hope can be explored for the benefit and wellness of all humans, without the sacrifice of empathy and our core humanity
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
informative