The Epigenetics Revolution
Ratings9
Average rating4.2
15
Ratings9
Average rating4.2
"Epigenetics can potentially revolutionize our understanding of the structure and behavior of biological life on Earth. It explains why mapping an organism's genetic code is not enough to determine how it develops or acts and shows how nurture combines with nature to engineer biological diversity. Surveying the twenty-year history of the field while also highlighting its latest findings and innovations, this volume provides a readily understandable introduction to the foundations of epigenetics. Nessa Carey, a leading epigenetics researcher, connects the field's arguments to such diverse phenomena as how ants and queen bees control their colonies; why tortoiseshell cats are always female; why some plants need cold weather before they can flower; and how our bodies age and develop disease. Reaching beyond biology, epigenetics now informs work on drug addiction, the long-term effects of famine, and the physical and psychological consequences of childhood trauma. Carey concludes with a discussion of the future directions for this research and its ability to improve human health and well-being."--Amazon.com.
Reviews with the most likes.
This book is a great layman's introduction to the field of epigenetics. Nessa discusses several physical mechanisms that allow genes to regulate the expression of other genes. Turning each other on and off, responding to environmental differences; these are a new set of tools we can use to explain how we bootstrap up from a single cell to the wonderful complexity that is a person, all while using the same underlying genetic code
This book might be better than I'm giving credit for here, it was so scientific and didn't pander to it's audience by avoiding talking about the complex science of genetics.
Unfortunately I need some pandering to be sure I understand what is going on. Like, I think I get it, but I ain't sure.
