The Language of the Genes

by Steve Jones

Book Overview

Steve Jones's highly acclaimed, double prize-winning, bestselling first book is now fully revised to cover all the new genetic breakthroughs from GM food to Dolly the sheep.'An essential sightseer's guide to our own genetic terrain.' Peter Tallack, Sunday Telegraph

'Superb and stimulating...an exhilarating trip around the double spiral of DNA, a rush of gravity-defying concepts and wild swerves of the scientific imagination.' J.G. Ballard,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0006552439
• ISBN13: 9780006552437
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Flamingo
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Very informative

I found this book very informative and valuable. Knowing about genetics is important because it is more and more penetrating into our lives. If somebody does not like that state of affairs he or she should get informed to be able to exercise qualified opposition. The book is well written and on a non-expert level.

This is a book I will want to add to my library!

This book is not only about genes, but evolution, anthropology, and history. Fascinating information is provided to the reader... When I read a chapter, I feel I'm at a university lecture hall again but this time at University College London where Dr. Jones is a Professor of Genetics. This book not only has facts, but will entertain you as well.

Good place to start if you want to understand genes

The study of genes, and in particular the human DNA, is progressing at phenomenal speed. "The Language of Genes" gives the reader an excellent understanding of the importance of this scientific branch. The book avoids the scientific particularities and concentrates on implications and conclusions drawn from its insights. Steve Jones gives us a good understanding of how present days genes make for documentation of evolutionary history - and how evolution triggers genetic responses that can be seen in the genetic mix of the world we live in. Jones touches some of the moral questions connected with genetic science. I personally appreciate the anecdotal style with lots of stories about mistakes from earlier days. But Jones also points to dubious conceptions in today's society as well as future dilemmas we will face when our ability to screen and manipulate individual DNA is improved even more. "The Language of Genes" is enlightening layman reading for many years still. Since the matter at hand is subject to intense research and progress it is however inevitable that sooner or later the need for an update becomes apparent. The book is now fifteen years old, and since it was written we have seen the human genome being mapped in total and personal genome screening is approaching the USD 1000 limit when it is supposed to become available to "everyone". My advice is: Get a grip on what genes are, what they tell us and how genetic science will influence our future. "The Language of Genes" by Steve Jones is a good place to start.

An excellent introduction to genetics for the layperson

"The language of the genes" is an excellent introduction for the general public to what the field of genetics is--and is not. It is also a strong argument against the so-called 'eugenics' movements of the past. Without insulting the reader, the author uses a very accessible language to explain difficult ideas about genetics, and completely destroys claims, on supposed scientific grounds, about differences in our own species. Yes, we are all different, but can we justify the separation of humans into races--and the politics based on those differences--on genetic grounds? The answer Jones provides is a resounding "No!", and he explains why convincingly.I found the author's discussions on genetic conditions, cancer, and aging fascinating. Also, his discussion on the origin of humans and the eventual demise of the Neanderthals is extremely interesting and convincing. It is obvious that the author has conducted a considerable amount of research on population genetics, and his explanations on the subject, particularly when applied to humans, are very clear and satisfactory. The weakest part of the book is perhaps the author's discussion on what's in store in the field of genetics for humans and the possible philosophical issues involved, but it is nevertheless food for thought.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in genetics and its impact on humans. It is a worthwhile reading, even to those who specialize in the field.

brilliant!

I read this book about 4 years ago - so i can't remember too much detail. However - although i very really read anything other than fiction, I found this a very informative and enjoyable read. Steve Jones seems to be one of those (too few) experts who can explain things to the layman without being either patronising, or expecting a level of expertise already. Plenty detail, lots of anecdotes and interesting highlights - I ended up with a broad and unbiased understanding of the subject. ( and am now doing an OU course on it, it was so interesting). Well worth the time.