Overview

Masha Gessen's mother had a fatal flaw: a genetic mutation that put its carriers at very high risk of ovarian and breast cancer. After her mother died, Gessen discovered that she carried the same mutation. But what do you do with this kind of knowledge? Gessen, a journalist and ex-war correspondent, set out to discover more. Travelling the world, Gessen meets with scientists, psychologists and economists, and encounters whole communities touched by the effects of defective DNA. Her decision about her own future becomes another part of her journey, revealing how genetic information is transforming our most basic sense of who we are.

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9781847080783

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Reviews

'Blood Matters is about far more than Gessen's own story. She writes energetically - about the grander context in which her personal drama takes place - The book's enduring memory is Gessen's intelligence and wit as she's staring down the barrel of a gun'- The Scotsman'Gessen argues that in a generation we will discuss our genetic inheritance in the same way that we discuss social class and other environmental influences on character nowadays. It's a superb read.' - The Times'A brave, passionate and well-written book' - Sunday Times'Gessen argues that in future, genetic information will transform our lives - she renders complicated concepts accessible and easy to digest' - Guardian

Author Information

Masha Gessen is a journalist who has written for The New York Times, The New Republic and Slate, amongst others. She is the author of two previous books; Dead Again and Two Babushkas. She lives in Moscow.

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