In this book, I give fair attention to both parts of my new motto: "It's all in the genes! - Really?"
On the one hand, I will show the reader how powerful genes, and their DNA, can be - for we need to acknowledge that "It's in the genes."
On the other hand, I also explain why genes do not tell us the entire story - for we should also recognize that "genes do not answer all our questions." The latter part is a more philosophical reflection on the first part. Biological facts do not make sense without a philosophical reflection. Our genes are like a hand of cards we are dealt, but we can play them differently.
This book is not as deterministic as other books on genetics, and yet it gives genetics its due with up-to-date, easy-accessible information for those interested in genomics (The science journal Nature listed "Personal Genomics Goes Main-stream" as a top news story of 2008). But it also discusses explicitly why mind issues such as morality, rationality, free will, and religion cannot be in the genes.
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"Where does morality come from? What about religion and rationality? Do we really have free will? If you want answers to these questions, you will want to read IT'S ALL IN THE GENES! REALLY? You will also learn much about genetics, genomics, DNA and much more, all in a style that is informative, clear and enjoyable."
Francisco J. Ayala is University Professor and Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics.
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"The critical discussion by Dr. G.M. Verschuuren of selected examples for acquired insights into the complexity of life represents a welcome contribution to inform a wider public on questions and at least partial answers dealt with by fundamental and applied research in the life sciences".
Professor Werner Arber, Nobel Laureate in Medicine 1978, Biozentrum, Department of Microbiology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
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"There is no such thing as a perfect genome. We always knew. But in the era of exome and genome sequencing, we can actually see it, right in front of our own eyes. Each one of us carries hundreds to thousands of variants or mutations. What a humbling experience. The consequences of most of these we don't yet understand. And then, beyond biology, there is more. What makes us human? Where does biology end, and where does philosophy begin? Gerard Verschuuren presents an intelligent book, which will educate, stimulate, provoke, and inspire."
Christian P. Schaaf, MD, PhD, FACMG. Assistant Professor, Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital.
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"IT'S ALL IN THE GENES! - REALLY? is a finely honed counterpoint to the genes-as-destiny perspective that often underlies media reports on genetics. Verschuuren argues that genes never act in isolation, but always in concert with a person's environment, and that there is a great deal more to human life than biology alone. So when you hear someone say that it's all in our genes, your immediate response should be "Really?"
Daniel Hartl, Higgins Professor of Biology, Hartle Laboratory, Harvard University.
Dr. Gerard M. Verschuuren is a human geneticist who also earned a doctorate in the philosophy of science. He studied and worked at universities in Europe and the United States and wrote several biology textbooks in Dutch. Currently, he is semi-retired and spends most of his time as a writer, speaker, and consultant on the interface of science and religion.
