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The Gene

The Gene

An Intimate History
EssaysHealth
Pages
592
Published
2016
Language
English

Synopsis

Siddhartha Mukherjee's "The Gene" traces the history of genetics from ancient Greece to the Human Genome Project. It explores how our genes influence our traits and health, weaving in personal family stories of mental illness. Mukherjee also issues a warning against the dangers of genetic determinism, referencing the historical rise of eugenics.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

InformativeThought-ProvokingReflectiveComplex

Genres

Essays Health History Science & Nature Biography & Memoir Technology

Authors

D
Dennis Boutsikaris

Dennis Boutsikaris is the author of The Gene, a compelling read that explores the science of heredity. He's known for his ability to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for readers.

S
Siddhartha Mukherjee

Siddhartha Mukherjee (born 21 July 1970) is an Indian-American physician, biologist, oncologist, and author. Photo By Moody College of Communication from Austin, USA - This file has been extracted from another file: Siddhartha Mukherjee (34273728645).jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80810851

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The Gene related to The Emperor of All Maladies?

    The Gene is a companion work to Siddhartha Mukherjee's earlier book, The Emperor of All Maladies. Both books explore complex biological topics through a blend of scientific explanation, historical narrative, and personal reflection, focusing on different aspects of human biology and disease.

  • What awards did The Gene win?

    The Gene was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction. It also received the 2017 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award.

  • Is there a documentary adaptation of The Gene?

    A PBS documentary series, also titled The Gene: An Intimate History, was adapted from the book. It explores the same themes and historical journey of genetics as presented in Mukherjee's work.