Genome
- Author: Matt Ridley
- Publisher: Fourth Estate
- Classification: Biology, Human Genetics
Matt Ridley decided to write Genome because of a chance remark by an evolutionary biologist, David Haig. Haig stated that chromosome 19 was his favourite chromosome. Why? Because:
‘It has all sorts of mischievous genes on it…’
Genome, Matt Ridley
This idea stuck in Ridley’s head and so Genome the book was started. What Ridley has done is to write one chapter per chromosome and then focus on one of its genes.
But what has this got to do with the history of our species you may ask? Well, from our genes scientist can see the history of our evolution and can then make guesses as to what had been the cause of a particular development. These can be fairly accurate when combined with other known data. In this way Ridley has tackled, and started to explain the battle of the sexes… And also why people from certain geographic areas are more prone to certain diseases (e.g. Malaria) and other life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks than others.
Matt Ridley, through the book Genome has brought some of the mystery of Genes, and genetic engineering to Joe Public, which is no bad thing. He’s done this without coming across as superior and still maintaining a surprisingly easy to read narrative, considering the subject matter.
Genome is 313 pages long (316 with bibliography) and very well researched (from what I can tell). The bibliography is fairly extensive and certainly looks to cover a fair variety of authors, articles, news stories and books, without an apparent bias (mind you I’m no scientist). All of which add weight to Ridley’s arguments and you feel confident that the ‘facts’ are genuine.
The only real downside is the book was, unfortunately, published just before a very big leap in knowledge about the human Genome. This occurred towards the end of 2000.
Genome will surprise you, draw you in, solve some mysteries and challenge the beliefs you may hold. A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting read. And any book that uses a photo of the author’s own chromosomes as the cover (UK 2000 edition) has got to be worth trying.
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