Del autor del best seller internacional La cuchara menguante, este libro nos descubre los secretos que esconde nuestro c�digo gen�tico, y c�mo su inminente decodificaci�n est� a punto de resolver cuestiones que llevamos siglos plante�ndonos.
Paganini fue un violinista con un don tan grande que toda su vida tuvo que despejar los rumores de que hab�a vendido su alma al diablo. Sin embargo, lo cierto es que su maestr�a ten�a mucho que ver con su ADN, pues padec�a un trastorno gen�tico que lo hab�a dotado de unos dedos monstruosamente flexibles, el conocido como pulgar del violinista.
Estuvo la raza humana a punto de extinguirse? Puede la gen�tica explicar el amor incondicional de una mujer por su gato? Qu� culpa tiene el ADN de que nazcan ni�os sin huellas dactilares o de que Kennedy tuviera un cutis bronceado? Est�n los genes tras el talento de Einstein?
�stas y otras cuestiones encontrar�n su respuesta en el libro de Sam Kean y nos permitir�n adelantarnos al descubrimiento de extraordinarios secretos que nuestro c�digo gen�tico lleva ocultando toda la vida. Y es que desvelarlo nunca fue f�cil. Desde su origen, la disciplina de la gen�tica ha tenido que lidiar con disputas m�ltiples, pu�aladas por la espalda y teor�as controvertidas.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
From the author of the international bestseller The Disappearing Spoon, this book uncovers the secrets hidden in our genetic code and how its imminent decoding is about to resolve questions humanity has pondered for centuries.
Paganini was a violinist with such extraordinary talent that he spent his life dispelling rumors he had sold his soul to the devil. In truth, his mastery had much to do with his DNA, as he suffered from a genetic disorder that gave him monstrously flexible fingers, known as the violinist's thumb.
Was the human race once on the brink of extinction? Can genetics explain a woman's unconditional love for her cat? Is DNA responsible for children born without fingerprints or for Kennedy's tanned complexion? Are genes behind Einstein's genius?
These and other questions find their answers in Sam Kean's book, allowing us to anticipate the discovery of extraordinary secrets our genetic code has hidden all along. And unveiling them has never been easy. From its beginnings, the discipline of genetics has had to contend with disputes, betrayals, and controversial theories.
Kean, Sam: -
Sam Kean es considerado uno de los mejores escritores de divulgación científica. Sus historias han aparecido en publicaciones periódicas como The Best American Science and Nature Writing, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Slate y Psychology Today. También ha colaborado en «Radiolab», «Science Friday» y «All Things Considered» de NPR, entre otros programas. El último aliento del César (2019) fue nombrado libro de ciencia del año por The Guardian; y tanto El pulgar del violinista (2016) como Una historia insólita de la neurología (2018) resultaron nominados para el premio de escritura científica literaria de PEN.
Sam Kean is considered one of the finest science writers. His stories have appeared in periodicals such as The Best American Science and Nature Writing, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Slate, and Psychology Today. He has also contributed to NPR programs including "Radiolab," "Science Friday," and "All Things Considered," among others. Caesar's Last Breath (2017) was named Science Book of the Year by The Guardian; and both The Violinist's Thumb (2012) and The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons (2014) were nominated for the PEN Literary Science Writing Award.
