Genome Ethnic Autobiography Chapter 23

Author: (English) Matt Ridley, translated by Liu Jing
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Features: "A fascinating tour of the human genome—if you want a glimpse of the emerging biotech century, Genome is an excellent starting point." – The Wall Street Journal "An outstanding writer, his elegant and often moving descriptions of the construction of life remind me of the best works of late Lewis Thomas. His explanations of complex biological processes are among the clearest I have ever seen—he captures their elusive beauty." – The Washington Post. Book World "An exhilarating journey... The material is very up-to-date... Ridley has included just the right amount of history and personal anecdotes to spice up the science. He is a great storyteller." – Scientific American
Heaven and earth were created, the sea waves crashed against the shore, fish swam in the water, birds sang, and animals roamed the land, but there was no soulful, world-ruling higher life. Then Prometheus was born, endowing all things with wisdom and stealing fire from the heavens to illuminate the world. Perhaps, the mapping of the human genome's 23 pairs of chromosomes is the most significant scientific discovery of the new century, raising as many questions as it answers. These questions will profoundly influence how we think about disease, lifespan, and free will. They will affect your later life. What will be the consequences of this incredible breakthrough? Genome offers exceptional insight into this. By selecting a recently discovered gene on each pair of chromosomes and telling its story, Matt Ridley narrates the history of our species and its ancestors from the dawn of life to the forefront of future medicine. He explores the scientific, philosophical, and ethical questions raised by the mapping of the genome, helping you understand what this scientific milestone means for you, for your children, and for humanity.
Ridley is an extraordinary guide, leading us through three wondrous landscapes along the same path: the 4-billion-year history of life, the 23 chromosomes within us, and the repository of ideas and laboratories of molecular biology. He knows the scenery along this path like the back of his hand, explaining with vivid enthusiasm and a light touch. This is a delightful journey, yielding surprises, knowledge, and a series of questions that demand rethinking.
This book is Matt Ridley's popular science masterpiece, published in 2000, which received widespread acclaim upon release and became a bestseller in both the UK and the US, considered one of the best popular science books on genetics. In 2001, the traditional Chinese edition was published in Taiwan, and it has been reprinted seven times. The simplified Chinese edition has been endorsed by 42 scientists, writers, humanities scholars, and publishers.