Gluten-free, lactose-free, low cholesterol, high fibre. Nowadays it
seems as though every retailer is selling a solution to our abundance of
dietary challenges. But why is this generation suddenly plagued with so many
problems? Is it heightened awareness, a boom in fad-dieting and a few million
hypochondriacs? Or is it something deeper? Dr. Moalem believes it's not only
deeper, it's microscopic.
We've all heard the nature versus nurture debate and we know that
our genes are responsible for physical appearance and general health. But what
if we learned that the bullying our parents endured as children left an
indelible mark on our genomes? Would we believe that a seemingly insignificant
change to our genetic code could leave us impervious to pain or lethally
sensitive to morphine? And why doesn't the latest Hollywood diet work for
everyone? Inheritance uses
fascinating examples to emphasize the delicacy of our genomes and the
advantages and disadvantages that arise from changes in genetic makeup and
expression.
The topics flowed well from chapter to chapter and new questions and
ethical debates arose as the book progressed. Can we really segregate
professional athletes into weight classes but not genetic classes? Should
employers and insurance companies have access to our genetic information? What
about potential partners and spouses? And where do we draw the line? When I
first picked up this book I expected a "mind over genetic matter" self-help
journey, but was treated to a page-turning narrative of evolution and the
products of genetic variability. I sped through each chapter and even re-read
the book right after I'd finished it. I would definitely recommend Inheritance to any genre of reader, not just
science enthusiasts. Because as Dr. Moalem shows us, research into rare genetic
disorders has the capacity to help not only those directly afflicted, but the
entire population and the populations to come.
Laura
Martin's lifelong addiction to fiction took a back seat when she went to the
University of Guelph for Molecular Biology and Genetics. She became fascinated
with neurological conditions like Alzheimer's Disease and dementia, and is
hoping to attend Dalhousie University in the spring for a Masters in
Neuroscience.
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