Genome

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive Introduction to DNA and the Genome
Review: There are about 100 genetics books on the market, or probably even more, and they cover a range of subjects and at many different levels of sophistication. I started to put together a Listmania list of the easier to read beginners books, and I quickly got about 20 books on that list. I put together this list after visits to bookstores, and reading and scanning the books, some of which I have purchased and read cover to cover. I have a PhD in science and engineering from MIT but not in genetics - so I am just a beginner in DNA. Also see the web page listed at the bottom suggested by the author Ridley.

Many books are geared towards teaching and biochemistry or the new area of biotechnology. The present book is a clear introduction or gateway into the field and one that I would recommend as a starting point for the beginner - then go onto to something more analytical or technological later. It has one major weakness, no pictures or sketches, the author does it all with words. Otherwise it is a brilliant piece of writing and a good book. In any case it is impossible to write a one paragraph or even a one to two page review for this book. There is just too much great information in the book - you must read the book, but here are my comments.

The author apologizes because he thinks that the book might quickly go out of date, but I think that it is still excellent even today 4 years later after publication in a fast changing field. The book is not for everyone. One needs a clear mind and good concentration and must want to learn about DNA and how we work. It is not a book that can be read and digested on a short airline flight - it will put you to sleep. It is just basic science, all well described by Ridley. You cannot learn that much or remember a lot in a quick scan of the book. I read it on and off over a period of a month, some sections twice

This book is essentially a layman's level guide to DNA and the genome. First of all I do not know the complete background of the author Matt Ridley other than he has written at least four or possibly five books on the subject and was a writer for the highly respected The Economist. But based on his descriptions and sometimes the complexity of his logic, he clearly he knows his stuff. The book at first seems simple enough, but by page 70 or so you begin to realize the enormous complexity of the subject and the value and clarity of the book.

There is not enough space here to do a complete review but I will mention just a few highlights. As most know man (and women) is composed of trillions of cells, each containing a nucleus, and in each nucleus there are two sets of the human genome. Each set includes 23 chromosomes, and each is composed of many thousands of genes, and each gene can control our many functions. He describes how we have reached that conclusion over a period of hundreds of years starting with plant research. He explains how all living creatures are composed of similar building blocks with similar principles of operation - at the cell level. The genes are written in a digital code composed of 4 letters in DNA molecules. The genome can photocopy itself and read itself, with RNA a different chemical, and in the end can make protein the building materials in our bodies.

Ridley walks us through all 23 chromosomes and discusses how each is important, and how when for example one line of code has an error it does not work, and we can be subject to disease. There are three or four exceptionally fine chapters that are very fascinating reads. Personally I liked the chapters on the X chromosomes, and the fight between X and Y for dominance in sex selection, the possible roll of antigens in determining sexual orientation of younger male sons when there is at least two sons. Also the Hox genes in chromosome 12 are amazing. They tell our body where to grow arms, wings, etc, and it is something that we have in common with all animals including fruit flies (just not apes). There are many similar topics covered. Ridley goes into many topics including details of our body's biochemical reactions including things like serotonin levels in the brain.

The slightly depressing point in the book relates to the complexity of the genome and its sensitivity to small errors or mutations. First of all there is no single unique genome. Each person is a unique genome due to mutations, but many mutations are harmless, but some are not. Each gene has many repetitious and sometimes useless bits of DNA. It is not a single and perfect structure by any measure. The genome is very complicated and any breakdown in its precision can cause disease such as (possibly) the APOE gene E4 variety in chromosome 19, can predict Alzheimer's in a very repeatable manner. The body has survived by the decimation of the weaker elements in the genome - often to disease, but in doing so the remaining elements that have survived and were immune to the diseases, have passed on a slightly flawed genome, example being malaria survivors with sickle-cell anemia in Africa.

So this is an outstanding book, and this is a gateway book with a list of many references on each chromosome. Ridley suggests visiting the web page online at "Mendelian Inheritance in Man" found on Google to keep up to date on new discoveries in genetics. This is run by the Johns Hopkins University.