|
}}
'''''Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters''''' is a 1999 [[popular science]] [[book]] by [[Matt Ridley]], published by Fourth Estate.
==Chapters==
The book devotes one chapter to each pair of human [[chromosome]]s. Since one (unnumbered) chapter is required to discuss the [[sex chromosome]]s, the final chapter is number 22. Ridley was inspired to adopt this model by [[Primo Levi]]'s book ''[[The Periodic Table (book)|The Periodic Table]]''.
;Chapter 1, Life
The first chapter begins with a quote from [[Alexander Pope]] on the cycle of life. The very broad topic "Life" is also the topic of the chapter. Ridley discusses the history of the gene briefly, including our "[[last universal common ancestor]]".
;Chapter 2, Species
Ridley discusses the history of human kind as a genetically distinct species. He compares the human genome to [[chimpanzee]]s, and ancestral [[primates]]. He also points out that until the 19th Century, most scholars believed that there were 24 sets of genes, not 23 as known today.
;Chapter 3, History
This chapter discusses the interplay between early geneticists, including [[Gregor Mendel]], [[Charles Darwin]], [[Hermann Joseph Muller]] and [[Francis Crick]].
;Chapter 4, Fate
[[Huntington's Corea]] is used to discuss the use of a particular sequence on [[Chromosome Four]] to cause traumatic health consequences. The search for the chromosomal source of this and other related diseases is discussed through the work of [[Nancy Wexler]], someone who may have inherited the gene but who turns to scientific work to study it in others.
;Chapter 5, Environment
The concepts of [[pleiotropy]] and genetic [[Scientific pluralism|pluralism]] are introduced. A brief history of the study of [[asthma]] is used as the case study. Asthma is related to as many as fifteen different genes, many on [[chromosome five]]. Specifically, this includes a change from [[adenosine]] (A) to [[guanine]] (G) at position 46 on the [[ADRB2 gene]]. The ADRB2 gene is related to the control of bronchodialation and [[bronchoconstriction]].
;Chapter 6, Intelligence
[[Robert Plomin]]'s announcement in 1997 of the discovery of "a gene for intelligence" on [[chromosome 6]] is the foundation for this chapter's lengthier discussion of the genetic basis for [[intelligence]]. This included gene [[IGF2R|IGF<sub>2</sub>R]] on the long arm of chromosome 6, which may also be related to [[liver cancer]]. Ridley continues his premise in this chapter that the use of simple [[genetic marker]]s is inadequate to describe the complete function of the genome, or the causation of disease.
;Chapter 7, Instinct
This chapter discusses whether the form and existence of [[language]] has a genetic component. In particular, "[[specific language impairment]]" is possibly related to a gene on [[chromosome 7]]. Ridley discusses the scientific disagreement between Canadian linguist [[Myrna Gopnik]] and others on whether this disorder relates to difficulties with [[grammar]] formulation, or is a broader intellectual disorder.
;Chapter X and Y, Conflict
Ridley contemplates [[evolutionary psychology]] using the genes [[Testis determining factor|SRY]] on the [[Y chromosome]], and [[DAX1]] and [[Xq28]] on the [[X chromosome]]. The theory of genetic conflict and evolution is debated using the rhetorical question, are we bodies containing genes, or genes in bodies?
;Chapter 8, Self-Interest
[[Richard Dawkins]]'s concept of the "[[selfish gene theory|selfish gene]]" is described by Ridley through a discussion of [[retrotransposons]]. This includes the behavior of the [[LINE-1]] and [[Alu sequence|Alu]] [[transposons]]. Further, Ridley discusses the possible purposes of [[cytosine methylation]] in development. The chapter also discusses how, through [[reverse transcriptase]], [[retroviruses]] like [[HIV]] copy themselves to the human genome.
;Chapter 9, Disease
For chromosome 9, the book examines the discussion of the blood-typing genetic sequences. Namely, the [[ABO blood groups]] and their impact on evolution are discussed. Other genes mentioned include [[Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator|CFTR]] for [[cystic fibrosis]]. Ridley concludes that the [[Human Genome Project]] is largely based on the inaccurate belief that there is one single human genome. Proof that this is wrong comes from answering the question, which of the several choices of blood typing genetic sequence is selected, since each one has different disease-resistant and evolutionary consequences?
;Chapter 10, Stress
The impact of stress on the human body is described starting with the creation of hormones by the [[CYP17]] gene on [[chromosome 10]]. Ridley points out the relationship between [[cholesterol]], [[steroidal hormones]] such as [[progesterone]], [[cortisol]], [[aldosterone]], [[testosterone]] and [[oestradiol]].
;Chapter 11, Personality
Ridley chooses the gene [[D4DR]] which codes for the manufacture of [[dopamine]] and is located on the short arm of [[chromosome 11]]. Interactions between dopamine, [[serotonin]] and other [[serotonin neurochemistry]] are lightly covered.
;Chapter 12, Self-Assembly
This chapter relates to how understanding the [[genetic code]] matches models for [[embryonic development]] among vertebrates. Ridley discusses [[Gap gene|'gap' genes]], [[Pair-rule gene|'pair-rule' genes]], and [[Segment polarity gene|'segment-polarity' genes]]. [[Homeotic genes]] and [[Hox genes]] are described briefly. [[Walter Gehring]]'s discovery of the [[homeobox]] set of codes in 1983 is related to an on and off [[switch]] metaphorically.
;Chapter 13, Pre-History
Ridley describes the relationship between the development of [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] and other ancient [[root languages]] and the classical [[Polymorphism (biology)|polymorphisms]] which map genetic frequencies in [[Eurasia]]. The interplay between the [[breast cancer]] genes [[BRCA2]] on [[chromosome 13]] and [[BRCA1]] on [[chromosome 17]] help to illustrate these larger concepts. Ridley also describes genetic studies of different types of peoples to isolate why people developed a mutation allowing adults to [[digest lactase]] in adulthood. He concludes that since the [[herding]] tribes of the world all evolved this mutation earliest, these people's genes adapted to their environment. This may sound like [[Lamarck]]'s tale of the [[blacksmith]]'s strong arms 'handed down' to his sons, but it is not. The controversial conclusion is that willed action can alter our evolutionary history and genetic composition, by changing the environment to which we have to adapt.
;Chapter 14, Immortality
This chapter examines the so-called "immortality" of the genetic code - i.e. how is it that genetic code can remain as precise as it has been for 50 billion copyings since the dawn of life? Part of the answer is in the protein enzyme [[telomerase]], lying on [[chromosome 14]] and coded by the gene [[TEP1]].
;Chapter 15, Sex
Ridley discusses two chromosome 15 genetic diseases, [[Prader-Willi syndrome]] and [[Angelman's syndrome]]: Prader-Willi inherited from the father, Angelman's from the mother, through sexual antagonism and the placenta's control by paternal genes.
;Chapter 16, Memory
Ridley debates the old knowledge versus instinct problem, claiming that natural selection will be the explanation of the instinct for grammar, and noting that many animals including invertebrates can learn. All the same, he argues that the brain is controlled by genes and gene products.
;Chapter 17, Death
The TP53 gene on chromosome 17 suppresses cancer cells, while oncogenes stimulate cell growth and can cause cancer if kept switched on, while TP53 can cause cancer when kept switched off. Other mutator genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 contribute to breast cancer.
;Chapter 18, Cures
[[Recombinant DNA]] enabled genetic manipulation with restriction enzymes and a ligase. Genetic engineering has been highly controversial, especially in food production; it might, writes Ridley, one day be used in humans.
;Chapter 19, Prevention
It might be possible to prevent or cure [[Alzheimer's disease]] and [[coronary heart disease]]. APO genes like APOE influence fat and cholesterol metabolism. The E4 allele of EPOE contributes to the plaque buildup of Alzheimer's. Genetic testing may help patients take early preventative action.
;Chapter 20, Politics
The sheep brain disease [[scrapie]] appeared to be infectious but did not involve a microorganism. The disaster of [[Creutzfeld-Jacob disease]] in humans was found to be caused by the PRP gene which produces a [[prion]] protein that aggregates into clumps, destroying brain cells. Ridley attacks the panicky handling of [[prion disease]] outbreaks by governments.
;Chapter 21, Eugenics
Eugenics a century ago, based on faulty knowledge of genetics, led to immoral actions by governments and the US Supreme Court, pushing through [[compulsory sterilization]] of people such as those with trisomy 21 which causes [[Down syndrome]]. Ridley discusses the conflict between society, in the form of the state, and the individual.
;Chapter 22, Free Will
Ridley addresses the heated debate between [[genetic determinism]] and freedom. Children are moulded both by their peers (other children) and by their genes. He argues that behaviour is in the short term unpredictable, but "broadly" predictable in the long term.
==Reception==
|