Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

Rating:
Summary: Smack in the face of religion
Review: This book provides an excellent introduction to the nature side of the nature vs nurture debate. Over and over we are presented with examples from the animal world that parallel human society.

Time is spent in the beginning of the book with the beginning of life, with simple life forms, and how sexual reproduction was necessary for species to evolve very far, why the same defects in copying dna that result in cancer are those that keep us alive and free of illness.

Also, there is mention of how many mutations have both positive and negative consequences, such as the same gene that keeps africans safe from malaria also gives them sickle cell anemia. And how dangerous in the long term cloning can be, since randomness is what guarantees a species survival.

It is thought provoking, fun, and scary all at once. Unlike the Demon Haunted World or Pale Blue Dot, there is none of the religion bashing here, he pretty much ignores the whole issue.

With his usual style of getting the readers to think for themselves, Sagan himself is quick to point out that many studies for instance on Rats, can be tainted because we have selectively bred lab rats to be more docile and controllable.

That said, it is an introduction really, and leaves you hungry for more information, or with questions that he does not delve into. So if you already know alot about this field, you may not enjoy this book, but if you are new to it, it is a great way to start learning.