Overview

At a time when the complete human genome has been sequenced and when seemingly every week feature news stories describe genes that may be responsible for personality, intelligence, even happiness, Michel Morange gives us a book that demystifies the power of modern genetics. This text takes us on an easily comprehensible tour of the most recent findings in molecular biology to show us how - and if - genes contribute to biological processes and complex human behaviors. As Morange explains, if molecular biologists had to designate one category of molecules as essential to life, it would be proteins and their multiple functions, not DNA and genes. Genes are the centerpiece of modern biology because they can be modified. But they are only the memory that life invented so that proteins could be efficiently reproduced. Morange shows us that there is far more richness and meaning in the structure and interactions of proteins than in all the theoretical speculations on the role of genes. The book makes it clear that we do not have to choose between rigid genetic determinism and fearful rejection of any specific role for genes in development or behaviour. Both are true, but at different levels of organization. Morange agrees with those who say ""we are not in our genes."" But he also wants us to understand that we are not without our genes, either. We are going to have to make do with them, and this book shows us how.

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[Morange] skillfully weaves a picture of the incredibly complex molecular dance of life itself, in which genes are but a fairly small player. This book should be required reading for anyone associated with genomic research or gene therapy, in addition to the general public. In solemnly assaying the limits of our [scientific] knowledge, [it] also successfully describes the incredible beauty and complexity of biological life. -- Fintan R. Steele Medscape General Medicine (05/31/2001)

"[Morange] lays out a clear view of the gene as the way to understand how cellular processes are controlled and regulated...[He] gives examples of the ways in which genes are related to physiological processes. His examples emphasize the diversity and complexity of these relationships.--William C. Summers""American Scientist"" (11/01/2001) [Morange] skillfully weaves a picture of the incredibly complex molecular dance of life itself, in which genes are but a fairly small player. This book should be required reading for anyone associated with genomic research or genetherapy, in addition to the general public. In solemnly assaying the limits of our [scientific] knowledge, [it] also successfully describes the incredible beauty and complexity of biological life.--Fintan R. Steele""Medscape General Medicine"" (05/31/2001) Morange develops various important implications of the broader view of gene action, which he illustrates with concrete examples, mostly from human and mouse genetics...the book is well written and accurate.--Brian Charlesworth ""Nature "" Morange...challenges readers to reevaluate their textbook understanding of the role of the gene in living systems. Morange takes readers beyond the gene's seemingly mundane existence as an instructional manual for ordering amino acids within a protein. Using the latest discoveries from the labs of the modern molecular biologist, the operational focus of the gene is highlighted as its phenotypic expression at the level of the organism. From gene knockout experiments to the genetic basis of disease, Morange reminds the reader that traits such as intelligence, behavior, aging, and even the death of an organism do not fit well within the one-gene-one-protein model. The reader will explore well-supported arguments that show how genes are defined by the function of their protein products within complex (and often misunderstood) networks of interacting molecules.--J. A. Hewlett""Choice"" (11/01/2001) examples emphasize the diversity and complexity of these relationships. explore well-supported arguments that show how genes are defined by the function of their protein products within complex (and often misunderstood) networks of interacting molecules. research or gene therapy, in addition to the general public. In solemnly assaying the limits of our [scientific] knowledge, [it] also successfully describes the incredible beauty and complexity of biological life. the promise and peril of genetic research. �Morange� lays out a clear view of the gene as the way to understand how cellular processes are controlled and regulated...�He� gives examples of the ways in which genes are related to physiological processes. His examples emphasize the diversity and complexity of these relationships. -- William C. Summers ""American Scientist"" (11/01/2001) �Morange� skillfully weaves a picture of the incredibly complex molecular dance of life itself, in which genes are but a fairly small player. This book should be required reading for anyone associated with genomic research or gene therapy, in addition to the general public. In solemnly assaying the limits of our �scientific� knowledge, �it� also successfully describes the incredible beauty and complexity of biological life. -- Fintan R. Steele ""Medscape General Medicine"" (05/31/2001) In this tour of recent findings in molecular biology, Morange shows us how genes contribute to biological processes and complex human behavior--when they do. He makes it clear that we do not have to choose between rigid genetic determinism and fearful rejection of any specific role for genes in development or behavior. ""The Misunderstood Gene"" demystifies the power of modern genetics and refocuses biology on the many complex interactions that start with our genes but do not necessarily end there. The sequencing of the human genome, now complete, is just the beginning of the story. An engaging and enlightening book for readers concerned about the promise and peril of genetic research."

[Morange] lays out a clear view of the gene as the way to understand how cellular processes are controlled and regulated...[He] gives examples of the ways in which genes are related to physiological processes. His examples emphasize the diversity and complexity of these relationships.--William C. Summers""American Scientist"" (11/01/2001) [Morange] skillfully weaves a picture of the incredibly complex molecular dance of life itself, in which genes are but a fairly small player. This book should be required reading for anyone associated with genomic research or genetherapy, in addition to the general public. In solemnly assaying the limits of our [scientific] knowledge, [it] also successfully describes the incredible beauty and complexity of biological life.--Fintan R. Steele""Medscape General Medicine"" (05/31/2001) Morange develops various important implications of the broader view of gene action, which he illustrates with concrete examples, mostly from human and mouse genetics...the book is well written and accurate.--Brian Charlesworth ""Nature "" Morange...challenges readers to reevaluate their textbook understanding of the role of the gene in living systems. Morange takes readers beyond the gene's seemingly mundane existence as an instructional manual for ordering amino acids within a protein. Using the latest discoveries from the labs of the modern molecular biologist, the operational focus of the gene is highlighted as its phenotypic expression at the level of the organism. From gene knockout experiments to the genetic basis of disease, Morange reminds the reader that traits such as intelligence, behavior, aging, and even the death of an organism do not fit well within the one-gene-one-protein model. The reader will explore well-supported arguments that show how genes are defined by the function of their protein products within complex (and often misunderstood) networks of interacting molecules.--J. A. Hewlett""Choice"" (11/01/2001) examples emphasize the diversity and complexity of these relationships. explore well-supported arguments that show how genes are defined by the function of their protein products within complex (and often misunderstood) networks of interacting molecules. research or gene therapy, in addition to the general public. In solemnly assaying the limits of our [scientific] knowledge, [it] also successfully describes the incredible beauty and complexity of biological life. the promise and peril of genetic research. ÝMorange¨ lays out a clear view of the gene as the way to understand how cellular processes are controlled and regulated...ÝHe¨ gives examples of the ways in which genes are related to physiological processes. His examples emphasize the diversity and complexity of these relationships. -- William C. Summers ""American Scientist"" (11/01/2001) ÝMorange¨ skillfully weaves a picture of the incredibly complex molecular dance of life itself, in which genes are but a fairly small player. This book should be required reading for anyone associated with genomic research or gene therapy, in addition to the general public. In solemnly assaying the limits of our Ýscientific¨ knowledge, Ýit¨ also successfully describes the incredible beauty and complexity of biological life. -- Fintan R. Steele ""Medscape General Medicine"" (05/31/2001) In this tour of recent findings in molecular biology, Morange shows us how genes contribute to biological processes and complex human behavior--when they do. He makes it clear that we do not have to choose between rigid genetic determinism and fearful rejection of any specific role for genes in development or behavior. ""The Misunderstood Gene"" demystifies the power of modern genetics and refocuses biology on the many complex interactions that start with our genes but do not necessarily end there. The sequencing of the human genome, now complete, is just the beginning of the story. An engaging and enlightening book for readers concerned about the promise and peril of genetic research.

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