Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters

Summary

The book «Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters» by Matt Ridley is an enthralling journey through the human genome. In each of the 23 chapters, corresponding to the 23 pairs of chromosomes in human cells, Ridley explores various genes and unveils their role in defining unique human traits such as appearance, character, health, and behavior. The author combines the latest advances in genetics with insights from history, philosophy, and ethics, offering a profound understanding of the impact of genes on human life. Ridley demonstrates how the genetic information decoded through the Human Genome Project opens new horizons for medicine and raises complex questions about the nature of free will and determinism.