Inheritance
The author in this book reveals how genetic breakthroughs are completely transforming our understanding of both the world and our lives.
Sharon Moalem is an American physician, scientist and an expert in the fields of rare diseases, neuro-genetics and bio-technology along with being a best-selling author. His work has brought together evolution, genetics, biology, and medicine to explain how the human body works. He is the author of two New York Times bestselling books.
Moalem earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Human Physiology specialising in Neuro-genetics from the University of Toronto. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
As a college student, Dr. Moalem worked with the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej to help improve the care of young children at an HIV-positive orphanage. His research in neuro-genetics led to the discovery of new genetic associations for familial Alzheimer's disease.
Moalem’s scientific work, based upon using rare conditions as a template to understand more common conditions, led to the discovery of Siderocillin a new antibiotic that specifically targets so called 'superbugs' or multi-resistant microbes.
He has founded two biotechnology companies, Sideromics LLC and Recognyz System Technology, which develop treatments for the health effects experiences by persons with rare diseases. Moalem also holds 19 patents for inventions related to biotechnology and human health. He is a frequent speaker on the topics of genetics and personalised medicine.
Dr. Moalem's first book "Survival of the Sickest" deals with 8 case studies revolving around the argument that common hereditary diseases exist because at one point they were an adaptive advantage for our ancestors.
One proposed hypothesis is that water induced wrinkling of skin is an adaptation to improve traction in wet or slippery environments. Research has subsequently shown this to be likely the case.
Moalem's second book “How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do” examines the scientific reasons why people are attracted to one another. The topics covered include the evolutionary MOALEM’S SCIENTIFIC WORK, BASED UPON USING RARE CONDITIONS AS A TEMPLATE TO UNDERSTAND MORE COMMON CONDITIONS, LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF A NEW ANTIBIOTIC THAT TARGETS SO CALLED 'SUPERBUGS'. underpinnings of sexual attraction, monogamy, and sexual orientation.
The book under review gives fascinating examples to emphasize the delicacy of our genomes and the advantages and disadvantages that arise from changes in genetic makeup and expression. It is not a "mind over genetic matter" self-help journey, but a gripping narrative of evolution and the products of genetic variability.
The book reinforces much of what we believe, and that taking control of your diet can change your life. Our dietary efforts may not be in vain. The Doctor uses the example of the Queen Honey Bee to make his point.
The Queen Bee of a hive has exactly the same DNA as her female bee siblings but a diet of royal jelly changes her genetic expression entirely, giving her a longer body and legs, a reusable sting, longevity and the ability to lay thousands of eggs a day. Only bees bathed in royal jelly can do this – and yet all start out with the same genes.
Research in Oregon State University found something similar happening in humans who ate lots of spinach. Spinach is rich in a chemical compound called Betaine. In the human body, Betaine is able to leave a mark on one’s genetic code. The cells of spinach-eaters were better able to fight back against genetic mutations caused by carcinogens in cooked meat. Spinach can instruct the cells in our bodies to behave differently – just as royal jelly does for the queen bee.
According to Moalem, not only can we influence our own genes, but we also have the capacity to change the genes of our offspring. Moalem says, “Same DNA. Completely different creature…it’s not only what our genes give us that are important, but also what we give to our genes.”
Moalem is suggesting that how we choose to live (exercise, diet, emotional well-being) can not only counter any genetic proclivities we may have but prevent them from being passed on to the next generation. He suggests that we put together medical family trees to try and get a sense of any genetic weaknesses and, if we are bold enough, we can get our own genome sequenced.
The book enables us to understand ourselves and our families by revealing that everything we thought we knew about genetics is wrong. In a nutshell everything you do and experience in this life is recorded in your genes, the bullying at school, the cigarettes you smoked as a teenager, the food you eat and the seemingly inconsequential matters, all recorded in your genes.
This book takes us on a thrilling journey through diverse places in our shared past, across a confounding collection of moments in our present and into a future filled with promise and pitfalls alike.