What do you think?
Rate this book
DNA: The Secret of Life
Fifty years ago, James D. Watson, then just twentyfour, helped launch the greatest ongoing scientific quest of our time. Now, with unique authority and sweeping vision, he gives us the first full account of the genetic revolution—from Mendel’s garden to the double helix to the sequencing of the human genome and beyond.
Watson’s lively, panoramic narrative begins with the fanciful speculations of the ancients as to why “like begets like” before skipping ahead to 1866, when an Austrian monk named Gregor Mendel first deduced the basic laws of inheritance. But genetics as we recognize it today—with its capacity, both thrilling and sobering, to manipulate the very essence of living things—came into being only with the rise of molecular investigations culminating in the breakthrough discovery of the structure of DNA, for which Watson shared a Nobel prize in 1962. In the DNA molecule’s graceful curves was the key to a whole new science.
Having shown that the secret of life is chemical, modern genetics has set mankind off on a journey unimaginable just a few decades ago. Watson provides the general reader with clear explanations of molecular processes and emerging technologies. He shows us how DNA continues to alter our understanding of human origins, and of our identities as groups and as individuals. And with the insight of one who has remained close to every advance in research since the double helix, he reveals how genetics has unleashed a wealth of possibilities to alter the human condition—from genetically modified foods to genetically modified babies—and transformed itself from a domain of pure research into one of big business as well. It is a sometimes topsy-turvy world full of great minds and great egos, driven by ambitions to improve the human condition as well as to improve investment portfolios, a world vividly captured in these pages.
Facing a future of choices and social and ethical implications of which we dare not remain uninformed, we could have no better guide than James Watson, who leads us with the same bravura storytelling that made The Double Helix one of the most successful books on science ever published. Infused with a scientist’s awe at nature’s marvels and a humanist’s profound sympathies, DNA is destined to become the classic telling of the defining scientific saga of our age.
From the Hardcover edition.
Watson’s lively, panoramic narrative begins with the fanciful speculations of the ancients as to why “like begets like” before skipping ahead to 1866, when an Austrian monk named Gregor Mendel first deduced the basic laws of inheritance. But genetics as we recognize it today—with its capacity, both thrilling and sobering, to manipulate the very essence of living things—came into being only with the rise of molecular investigations culminating in the breakthrough discovery of the structure of DNA, for which Watson shared a Nobel prize in 1962. In the DNA molecule’s graceful curves was the key to a whole new science.
Having shown that the secret of life is chemical, modern genetics has set mankind off on a journey unimaginable just a few decades ago. Watson provides the general reader with clear explanations of molecular processes and emerging technologies. He shows us how DNA continues to alter our understanding of human origins, and of our identities as groups and as individuals. And with the insight of one who has remained close to every advance in research since the double helix, he reveals how genetics has unleashed a wealth of possibilities to alter the human condition—from genetically modified foods to genetically modified babies—and transformed itself from a domain of pure research into one of big business as well. It is a sometimes topsy-turvy world full of great minds and great egos, driven by ambitions to improve the human condition as well as to improve investment portfolios, a world vividly captured in these pages.
Facing a future of choices and social and ethical implications of which we dare not remain uninformed, we could have no better guide than James Watson, who leads us with the same bravura storytelling that made The Double Helix one of the most successful books on science ever published. Infused with a scientist’s awe at nature’s marvels and a humanist’s profound sympathies, DNA is destined to become the classic telling of the defining scientific saga of our age.
From the Hardcover edition.
464 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2002
About the author
James D. Watson
83 books295 followersIn 1928, James D. Watson was born in Chicago. Watson, who co-discovered the double helix structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) at age 25, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins. His bird-watching hobby prompted his interest in genetics. He earned his B.Sc. degree in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1947, and his Ph.D. from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1950. He worked with Wilkins and Francis Crick at Cavendish Laboratory in England in 1951-1953, when they discovered the structure of DNA. Watson became a member of the Harvard Biology Department in 1956, then a full professor in 1961. His book The Double Helix, which was published in 1968, became a bestseller. Watson was appointed director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island in 1968, and became its president in 1994. As director of the National Center for Human Genome Research at the NIH in 1989, Watson launched the worldwide campaign to map and sequence the human genome. Watson is an outspoken unbeliever who considers that human progress has been shackled by the idea of divine fate, and that human beings should do their utmost to improve the future. In a Youngstown State University speech, Watson said, "The biggest advantage to believing in God is you don't have to understand anything, no physics, no biology. I wanted to understand" (The Vindicator, Dec. 2, 2003).
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wa...
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prize...
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/pa...
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://www.dnaftb.org/19/bio.html
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wa...
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prize...
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/pa...
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://www.dnaftb.org/19/bio.html
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
December 25, 2012
If I had my way over again, I would have studied genetics at university. I was never brilliant at science subjects at school but good with the art subjects, English literature, history and all that good stuff. I stumbled across genetics about twenty years ago and have amassed a considerable number of books in this area.
These books are not for the faint hearted. There is some real meaty content to absorb and I certainly found this with The Secret of Life. James Watson covers a wide range here. From Gregor Mendel, from whom genetics was coined in 1900, the famous double helix, playing God with DNA molecules, genetic fingerprinting, reading genomes through to defying disease.
This is an extremely well-written and thought-provoking book and I would recommend it highly to anyone who is interested in genetics. The one failure of this book though, in my opinion, is that not enough recognition has been given to the crystallographer, Rosalind Franklin at Kings. She worked on the DNA molecule from 1951 until 1953 but still was blind to what was actually present. So what happens? Watson had a look at her x-rays and then that’s history. He received the Nobel Prize in 1962 with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins (Franklin’s supervisor at Kings) for their work on the double helix structure of DNA.
In all fairness to Watson, he did mention that if Franklin had not died from ovarian cancer in 1958, there might have been indecision with the subsequent Nobel Prize, as the maximum that can share the award is three. He wondered who it would have been: Franklin or Wilkins?
Personal feelings apart though, this is still a marvellous awe-inspiring book.
These books are not for the faint hearted. There is some real meaty content to absorb and I certainly found this with The Secret of Life. James Watson covers a wide range here. From Gregor Mendel, from whom genetics was coined in 1900, the famous double helix, playing God with DNA molecules, genetic fingerprinting, reading genomes through to defying disease.
This is an extremely well-written and thought-provoking book and I would recommend it highly to anyone who is interested in genetics. The one failure of this book though, in my opinion, is that not enough recognition has been given to the crystallographer, Rosalind Franklin at Kings. She worked on the DNA molecule from 1951 until 1953 but still was blind to what was actually present. So what happens? Watson had a look at her x-rays and then that’s history. He received the Nobel Prize in 1962 with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins (Franklin’s supervisor at Kings) for their work on the double helix structure of DNA.
In all fairness to Watson, he did mention that if Franklin had not died from ovarian cancer in 1958, there might have been indecision with the subsequent Nobel Prize, as the maximum that can share the award is three. He wondered who it would have been: Franklin or Wilkins?
Personal feelings apart though, this is still a marvellous awe-inspiring book.
March 2, 2014
This is much, much better than James Watson's 1968 The Double Helix, which is full of unbearable ego and sexist opinions. It even contains a chapter which explains the discovery of the double helix sans most of the commentary that made the earlier book annoying. Watson has definitely matured, thank goodness, and into a man I wouldn't mind discussing genetics with. For example, he emphasises choice for pregnant women who know their babies have genetic disorders, insists that women have a right to decide on abortion which it is barbaric to deny, which I wouldn't have predicted from his earlier book and which suggests a more liberal outlook than I expected.
In terms of the science alone, minus any comments on the writer, this is an excellent primer on DNA, covering most of what we currently understand about DNA. Being published nearly a decade ago now, it doesn't comment on newer discoveries like the epigenetic control of gene expression, but it does cover just about everything in my college level online genetics class right now, with the added benefit of being something you can take at your own pace and without the horrible quantity of math that actually putting theories into practice requires (for example, he talks about finding a gene by reference to its association with a marker: I can calculate that if you give me half an hour, a calculator and a piece of paper -- and allow me to cuss a good bit). It's accessible to the layman, I think, but I still found it of interest despite my genetics classes and general interest in the field.
Some books leave me feeling that I've taken the wrong path in life. This is one of them. We know so many amazing, beautiful, astonishing things about DNA -- and we have so much more to learn. This book made me long to have taken the other path in which I forced myself through the sciences for my A Levels, took a degree in genetics or something related, and became a geneticist. Watson clearly evokes the potential for this knowledge, and makes me wish I could add whatever intelligence I have to the process.
Skip The Double Helix, except as a historical document, but I do recommend DNA: The Secret of Life with little reserve.
In terms of the science alone, minus any comments on the writer, this is an excellent primer on DNA, covering most of what we currently understand about DNA. Being published nearly a decade ago now, it doesn't comment on newer discoveries like the epigenetic control of gene expression, but it does cover just about everything in my college level online genetics class right now, with the added benefit of being something you can take at your own pace and without the horrible quantity of math that actually putting theories into practice requires (for example, he talks about finding a gene by reference to its association with a marker: I can calculate that if you give me half an hour, a calculator and a piece of paper -- and allow me to cuss a good bit). It's accessible to the layman, I think, but I still found it of interest despite my genetics classes and general interest in the field.
Some books leave me feeling that I've taken the wrong path in life. This is one of them. We know so many amazing, beautiful, astonishing things about DNA -- and we have so much more to learn. This book made me long to have taken the other path in which I forced myself through the sciences for my A Levels, took a degree in genetics or something related, and became a geneticist. Watson clearly evokes the potential for this knowledge, and makes me wish I could add whatever intelligence I have to the process.
Skip The Double Helix, except as a historical document, but I do recommend DNA: The Secret of Life with little reserve.
August 20, 2012
This book is a classic bait and switch. You see the title, and you read the little bits about it, you notice its author (DNA structure co-discover) and you think you may have a real winner. The parts of the book that focus on hard science are fascinating. They delve into the subject matter in a way that those with some college biology can understand fairly well. I have taken college level biochemistry (and did terribly), so my view on what is required to understand this book may be warped. But for the most part, it seems that he explains jargon fairly well and keeps the jargon to a useful minimum.
I knew there was something wrong with this book early on. As part of the "history of genetics", Watson covered eugenics. During that section, he tried to paint two sides of the movement, "positive" and "negative" eugenics. The bad eugenics was started by Americans and was eaten up by the Nazis. "Positive eugenics" was done by the more sensible British, in Watson's view, and was stifled by that inconvenience to genetic science called the T4 Program and its sequel, the Holocaust. This gross oversimplification of the history of eugenics baffled me, but I chalked it up to the fact that Watson is a scientist, not a historian.
Unfortunately, Watson's lack of historical credentials slowly bleeds into and chokes the life out of this book. He does not know how to balance his opinions or show the other side of his arguments in any kind of reasonable light. Got a problem with genetically modified food? You're a Luddite holding back science. Worried about recombinant DNA? Then you hate sick people and want them to die. Now, in the case of recombinant DNA technology, Watson was right in that it appears to not have caused any major issues. However, later in the book, he talks about the dangers of using retroviri to correct genetic diseases. Apparently James Watson can distinguish between all these risks, as scientist extraordinaire.
But this inconsistency is consistent throughout the book. Democracy is good, except when it interferes with the glorious path of science. Then government should just be some kind of scientific dictatorship where geniuses like Watson. Watson returns to eugenics at the end of the book, and passionately argues that we need to find out, genetically, which people would deserve to be taught math and if certain groups really are "dumber" than others. These bizarre obsessions, Watson's need to be right and demonize those who are "wrong", and his lack of historical balance totally destroy what is fascinating subject matter. I hope to find a book about this subject that is pure science and leaves the grating biases aside.
I knew there was something wrong with this book early on. As part of the "history of genetics", Watson covered eugenics. During that section, he tried to paint two sides of the movement, "positive" and "negative" eugenics. The bad eugenics was started by Americans and was eaten up by the Nazis. "Positive eugenics" was done by the more sensible British, in Watson's view, and was stifled by that inconvenience to genetic science called the T4 Program and its sequel, the Holocaust. This gross oversimplification of the history of eugenics baffled me, but I chalked it up to the fact that Watson is a scientist, not a historian.
Unfortunately, Watson's lack of historical credentials slowly bleeds into and chokes the life out of this book. He does not know how to balance his opinions or show the other side of his arguments in any kind of reasonable light. Got a problem with genetically modified food? You're a Luddite holding back science. Worried about recombinant DNA? Then you hate sick people and want them to die. Now, in the case of recombinant DNA technology, Watson was right in that it appears to not have caused any major issues. However, later in the book, he talks about the dangers of using retroviri to correct genetic diseases. Apparently James Watson can distinguish between all these risks, as scientist extraordinaire.
But this inconsistency is consistent throughout the book. Democracy is good, except when it interferes with the glorious path of science. Then government should just be some kind of scientific dictatorship where geniuses like Watson. Watson returns to eugenics at the end of the book, and passionately argues that we need to find out, genetically, which people would deserve to be taught math and if certain groups really are "dumber" than others. These bizarre obsessions, Watson's need to be right and demonize those who are "wrong", and his lack of historical balance totally destroy what is fascinating subject matter. I hope to find a book about this subject that is pure science and leaves the grating biases aside.
August 12, 2010
I found this book fascinating. Watson has the knack of making difficult topics comprehensible to non-scientists like me. He is also a great storyteller. He takes the time to present each of the researchers whose works he discusses. He boils their often frustrating research down to the one or two big questions their findings helped to answer.
I learned how parts of the body work. For example, on pp. 76-78, Watson explains how the body produces hemoglobin, a protein useful in transporting oxygen. Pages 81-83 explain the research that clarified how the body produces the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk.
A very important question is how did DNA first come into being. DNA research uncovered the important work accomplished by RNA, which Watson describes as an evolutionary heirloom. Watson's collaborator on the double helix, Francis Crick, suggested early on that there may have been an "RNA world" before DNA developed. RNA can store and replicate genetic information and is a protein equivalent (it can act as a catalyst in critical chemical reactions). (pp. 83-85)
In chapters 2 and 3, Watson tells the story of the discovery of the structure of DNA—the double helix. He relates the stories of dozens of researchers who collaborated to define amino acids, proteins and the human genome. Subsequent chapters examine the advances that have transformed agriculture (ch. 6), criminology and forensics (ch. 10), genetic medicine (ch. 11 [on diseases:] and ch. 12 [on therapies:]), and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries (ch. 5). Chapter 8 explains the human genome and its function. Watson also explains genetic theories prior to 1950 in chapter 1. The competitive struggle to fund academic research on the Human Genome before for-profit corporations copyrighted many of the genes is described in detail in Chapter 7. Chapter 9 describes the global research that uncovered DNA patterns that confirm the migration of early humans out of Africa about 100,000 years ago.
This work taught me a lot and helped me to understand the importance of Watson and Crick's discovery. I highly recommend it.
I learned how parts of the body work. For example, on pp. 76-78, Watson explains how the body produces hemoglobin, a protein useful in transporting oxygen. Pages 81-83 explain the research that clarified how the body produces the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk.
A very important question is how did DNA first come into being. DNA research uncovered the important work accomplished by RNA, which Watson describes as an evolutionary heirloom. Watson's collaborator on the double helix, Francis Crick, suggested early on that there may have been an "RNA world" before DNA developed. RNA can store and replicate genetic information and is a protein equivalent (it can act as a catalyst in critical chemical reactions). (pp. 83-85)
In chapters 2 and 3, Watson tells the story of the discovery of the structure of DNA—the double helix. He relates the stories of dozens of researchers who collaborated to define amino acids, proteins and the human genome. Subsequent chapters examine the advances that have transformed agriculture (ch. 6), criminology and forensics (ch. 10), genetic medicine (ch. 11 [on diseases:] and ch. 12 [on therapies:]), and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries (ch. 5). Chapter 8 explains the human genome and its function. Watson also explains genetic theories prior to 1950 in chapter 1. The competitive struggle to fund academic research on the Human Genome before for-profit corporations copyrighted many of the genes is described in detail in Chapter 7. Chapter 9 describes the global research that uncovered DNA patterns that confirm the migration of early humans out of Africa about 100,000 years ago.
This work taught me a lot and helped me to understand the importance of Watson and Crick's discovery. I highly recommend it.
December 28, 2011
This is a clear and lucid tale of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), written by one of the men who discovered the structure of the molecule. It delves into the history of the discovery, the human genome project, the potential of DNA in various areas such as GM foods, developing new medicines and combating crime. It becomes clear that much of the public and political fear in regards to DNA originates in ignorance. Other things, such as patenting genes, is absolutely horrifying because it effectively curtails further studies by increasing the cost. Sometimes in areas that would desperately need it. I don't know what kind of legislation allows this, it is absolutely absurd. The book itself is immensely readable and easily understandable even to the lay person. I am somewhat jealous of Watson for having been at the forefront of molecular biology - it must have been and must still be incredibly exciting to be on the cutting-edge of science.
March 28, 2013
Достъпно и увлекателно поднесен много голям обем информация "от извора" не само за ДНК и дългия и трънлив път до генетичното знание, по който успехите са придружени от провали и не винаги съвсем лоялната конкуренция и борба за надмощие, слава и пари между учени, организации, университети, фармацевтични гиганти и мощни фирми. Разгледани са доста подробно сферите на приложение, етичната страна, ползите и страховете от ДНК-отпечатъците и генната терапия, както и грозните и комични резултати от омесването на наука и идеология. Книгата разяснява не само човешката природа и тайната на живота, но и няколко от трудно- или нелечимите болести (диагностика, превенция, начин на живот, ваксини), ин витро, пренатална диагностика, ГМО и дава отговор на много свързани с тях въпроси, предизвикващи почти масова истерия.
December 29, 2019
James Dewey Watson, quien en conjunto con Francis Crick les fue otorgado el premio Nobel en 1962 por el descubrimiento de la estructura de Doble Hélice de ADN. Watson es básicamente un ateo, sumamente respetuoso, que no puede concebir el origen humano a la decisión de un creador.
El libro, con el nombre de "el secreto de la vida" en honor a Crick, fallecido en 2004, es básicamente todos los highlights del descubrimiento de la doble hélice, desde anécdotas, hasta casos de estudio. El libro no debe de ser tomado a la ligera; no es técnico per se, pero necesita de alguna manera mencionar el carácter técnico necesario de un libro de divulgación científica.
El libro habla de la ciencia genómica, y de todas sus implicaciones; la ingeniería genética que el ser humano ha implementado desde hace más de 10000 años con el nacimiento de la agricultura, y probablemente de manera menos eficaz con la predilección -cazadora, recolectora-.
El libro es muy completo ya que también enmarca la ingeniería en los cultivos, los alimentos genéticamente modificados, y el boom (aparentemente innecesario) de la moda "orgánica". Watson está en total acuerdo con la ingeniería genética con el fin de poder detener el sufrimiento humano, sin embargo reconoce también que, como especie con fallas evolutivas, tenemos también la capacidad de tergiversar todo lo que acontece en nuestro medio.
Menciona también el impío juicio de John Scopes, el cual, al igual que el de Galileo Galilei por el Santo Oficio, debería de estar en la mente de todo divulgador de ciencia.
El libro, con el nombre de "el secreto de la vida" en honor a Crick, fallecido en 2004, es básicamente todos los highlights del descubrimiento de la doble hélice, desde anécdotas, hasta casos de estudio. El libro no debe de ser tomado a la ligera; no es técnico per se, pero necesita de alguna manera mencionar el carácter técnico necesario de un libro de divulgación científica.
El libro habla de la ciencia genómica, y de todas sus implicaciones; la ingeniería genética que el ser humano ha implementado desde hace más de 10000 años con el nacimiento de la agricultura, y probablemente de manera menos eficaz con la predilección -cazadora, recolectora-.
El libro es muy completo ya que también enmarca la ingeniería en los cultivos, los alimentos genéticamente modificados, y el boom (aparentemente innecesario) de la moda "orgánica". Watson está en total acuerdo con la ingeniería genética con el fin de poder detener el sufrimiento humano, sin embargo reconoce también que, como especie con fallas evolutivas, tenemos también la capacidad de tergiversar todo lo que acontece en nuestro medio.
Menciona también el impío juicio de John Scopes, el cual, al igual que el de Galileo Galilei por el Santo Oficio, debería de estar en la mente de todo divulgador de ciencia.
January 10, 2019
Lo primero que quiero decir es que cualquiera puede leer este libro, explica la genética y sus múltiples aplicaciones de una forma muy fácil y muy clara.
He refrescado conocimientos y he aprendido muchísimo. Cinco estrellas me parecen pocas
He refrescado conocimientos y he aprendido muchísimo. Cinco estrellas me parecen pocas
Read
November 26, 2013When I came across the audio version of this book at work, I was excited. I looked forward to gaining a more solid grasp of genetics, and the thought of learning it from Watson was even better. If I'm lucky, I thought, I'll hear it in the voice of one of the fathers of genetics (Watson and his colleague, Crick, were the discoverers of the double helix structure of DNA). He did indeed read the introduction, and it was as interesting as I thought it would be. However, my youthful joy was not to last.
Good books are supposed to teach you about yourself, and this book didn't disappoint. It taught me that, despite the best intentions, I am not built to understand science through audiobooks. Like when I tried A Brief History of Time, the reader's words just washed over me, and I would realize that I had been thinking about science in general, or a specific phrase he used that I like, or sandwiches, for the past ten minutes. Invariably I would chastise myself and pull myself back in, studiously listening and staunchly refusing to understand until I passed a remarkably interesting bit of roadkill on the highway.
Don't get me wrong: Watson's writing was fairly accessible, but without the ability to go back and reread a certain line that I didn't quite get, it was sort of like falling down a flight of stairs with roller skates on and my hands stuck in fishbowls.
Good books are supposed to teach you about yourself, and this book didn't disappoint. It taught me that, despite the best intentions, I am not built to understand science through audiobooks. Like when I tried A Brief History of Time, the reader's words just washed over me, and I would realize that I had been thinking about science in general, or a specific phrase he used that I like, or sandwiches, for the past ten minutes. Invariably I would chastise myself and pull myself back in, studiously listening and staunchly refusing to understand until I passed a remarkably interesting bit of roadkill on the highway.
Don't get me wrong: Watson's writing was fairly accessible, but without the ability to go back and reread a certain line that I didn't quite get, it was sort of like falling down a flight of stairs with roller skates on and my hands stuck in fishbowls.
August 5, 2011
This is my second time reading this book (listening to it, actually). It's a pretty long book, dense, and rich with information.
Written by the scientist who discovered the structure of DNA, and played an important role in the sequencing of the human genome, the book starts with the discovery of the structure of DNA and its role in the process of life. Then it moves to cover a wide variety of topic ranging from the purely scientific, such as DNA's role in protein synthesis, to the political, like the ethical concerns of the genetic manipulation of human DNA.
Recommended for those with a pretty good grip on science, as it gets pretty deep in places. Highly recommended for those who wish to understand the role of DNA in our lives and all the various ways it can affect us.
Written by the scientist who discovered the structure of DNA, and played an important role in the sequencing of the human genome, the book starts with the discovery of the structure of DNA and its role in the process of life. Then it moves to cover a wide variety of topic ranging from the purely scientific, such as DNA's role in protein synthesis, to the political, like the ethical concerns of the genetic manipulation of human DNA.
Recommended for those with a pretty good grip on science, as it gets pretty deep in places. Highly recommended for those who wish to understand the role of DNA in our lives and all the various ways it can affect us.
March 9, 2011
Read this as a genetics undergrad and it was one of those books that confirmed my love of the subject, along with The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry. A fascinating area! But poor Rosalind Franklin where is her Nobel Prize???
April 16, 2020
Creo firmemente que es un libro muy bueno. Habla muchísimo de genética lo cual a mi en específico me encantó.
No le doy las 5 estrellas por que en ciertos momentos de la lectura meten relleno que sobra bastante.
Pero de ahí en fuera lo recomiendo abiertamente a gente que le interese saber sobre genética y procesos científicos.
Una maravilla de libro sin duda.
No le doy las 5 estrellas por que en ciertos momentos de la lectura meten relleno que sobra bastante.
Pero de ahí en fuera lo recomiendo abiertamente a gente que le interese saber sobre genética y procesos científicos.
Una maravilla de libro sin duda.
June 18, 2019
Learning about genetics today carries two problems: a lot of the very basic stuff is so well known that it's hard to appreciate how novel it was, the great change in philosophy necessitated by Mendel. And the rest of it is so jargon-laden and tinged with the intimidating aura of white-coated genius that people glaze over when hearing it. Watson's book is a very good summary of the entire topic, from Mendel to eugenics to his famous discovery of the double helix to the Asilomar near-moratorium on recombinant DNA experimentation to the birth of biotech to the incredible project that sequenced the entire human genome to CRISPR-Cas9 and the coming era of genetic medicine.
Watson is a great narrator because he is...something of a character. Notoriously blunt (his autobiography is called Avoid Boring People) his career has been marked by rancour and controversy, from his collaborators Crick and Wilkins trying to stop his book about them being published, to his alleged theft of ideas from Rosalind Franklin, and his more recent outbursts against political correctness in relation to nature/nurture debates concerning gender and race. He is still an engaging, informative guide. This book, whose new edition contains added material on cancer genetics, and references to Theranos and Game of Thrones, is a good companion to Siddhartha Mukherjee's more stylish The Gene: An Intimate History and The Emperor of All Maladies. Like many brilliant scientists, Watson is not the easiest person to get along with, but his gifts and enthusiasm have ushered in a changed world most of us barely comprehend.
Watson is a great narrator because he is...something of a character. Notoriously blunt (his autobiography is called Avoid Boring People) his career has been marked by rancour and controversy, from his collaborators Crick and Wilkins trying to stop his book about them being published, to his alleged theft of ideas from Rosalind Franklin, and his more recent outbursts against political correctness in relation to nature/nurture debates concerning gender and race. He is still an engaging, informative guide. This book, whose new edition contains added material on cancer genetics, and references to Theranos and Game of Thrones, is a good companion to Siddhartha Mukherjee's more stylish The Gene: An Intimate History and The Emperor of All Maladies. Like many brilliant scientists, Watson is not the easiest person to get along with, but his gifts and enthusiasm have ushered in a changed world most of us barely comprehend.
March 12, 2014
The first 175 pages or so are wonderful: a well written, clear, at times funny history of genetics, from Mendel to modern times. After that the book loses some of its direction and speed. I found myself skipping parts that were not directly about genetics but about how big science works (the chapter on the Human Genome Project is a case in point: there is much on grant applications and money but in fact very little about genetics). A whole chapter on the use of DNA in criminal investigations was also a bit too much for my sake. The parts on disease and genetics in the latter chapters were again more interesting. The chapter on the philosophical ramifications of finding the DNA-code is long and empty. James Watson is an extreme reductionist who is convinced that with finding the DNA-code we have also found everything we need to know about our place in nature and the universe. He states his position clearly early on in the book in the chapter on discovering the structure of DNA, where he says that now we knew the secret of life - just a bunch of self-replicating molecules. I don't feel he has much more to say about it yet for some reason he tries to do this in this final chapter.
August 30, 2015
Hard to rate. Parts were very interesting to me as a former research scientist: gave me perspective on the history of molecular biology leading up to my entry and pulled together a lot of my knowledge of the scientists behind the work into one cohesive story. Fun to see names of people I knew or heard speak about their work. However, Watson is extremely opinionated about controversial topics (doesn't bother showing the other side of the argument) and doesn't mind dissing his enemies in print. So I value the book less in these areas, despite finding his opinions interesting (would have found them equally interesting in context of better overview/context of controversies). Knowing what I do about his career, I found it interesting how he used this book to defend his famously inflammatory statements about intelligence and ancestry.
July 20, 2014
A genetics book, by the one of the co-discoverers of the double helix structure of DNA. There's a few chapters about the science, about the history of genetics and then a variety of topics, genetically modified foods and the controversy, DNA evidence in solving crimes, genetic diseases, ancient racial ancestry, ethical questions, bio-tech politics. He got preachy near the end, which I didn't mind, even though I didn't agree with everything he said. Parts of the book made me wish I had gone into genetics.
April 10, 2013
Very interesting, would recommend for anyone with even a casual interest in genetics or biology. For those who already have knowledge of biology, it might seem a little dumbed-down at first, but once you get past Mendel's pea plants and white-eyed fruit flies that are covered in every Bio 101 class, things start getting pretty interesting again. And it kind of drags in the middle when we get into all the academia and business politic, but it picks up again with the science soon enough.
November 19, 2012
Every time I read this book, it brings me more insight and amazement into the intricacies of Life. It all boils down to the simple intertwined thread of molecules called the DNA. Simple, yet so complex. Elegant yet so savage. Also, in Watson's words, the journey of a scientist is depicted so vividly. I would definitely want to read this book again.
August 23, 2013
James D. Watson descubrió la estructura del ADN en 1953 en conjunto con Francis Crick, y por ello ganaron ambos el premio nobel, este libro cuenta tanto esa historia como el desarrollo de la genética desde esos días así como sus implicaciones morales y éticas siguiendo un hilo apasionante y fácil de leer para el profano.
June 24, 2015
Точната книга по тази тема за пълни лаици като мен. Много добра направа, удобен извор на комплексна информация в сферата на молекулярната биология.
December 13, 2019
I looked forward to reading the book after being enticed to buy it based solely on the credentials of the author. I was excited with anticipation of being 'steepened' in the science of the subject matter. However, the book proved to be more an account of the history of firstly, the discovery of the structure of the hereditary information-carrying macromolecule, and the revolution the discovery brought to the world of genetics, with all its implications. I was quite disappointed with the book's lack of depth. My disappointment culminated in the uninformed quoting of Christian new testament scripture in the closing paragraphs of the book in the manner one drops names of famous people as one's acquaintances in conversations with friends one is trying to impress. As someone who had done an in-depth refutation of the divinity of the Christian doctrine by detailed technical exegesis of the scripture, I found the addition of an excerpt of the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians - a passage about love - to be a cheap attempt at bridging the philosophical gap between the anti-evolution, anti-genetics, right-wing, creationists and the empirically and scientifically biased secularists. This gap is best bridged by human intelligence and the embrace of technological discovery in the spirit of Copernicus and Galileo rather than our appeasing, albeit with love, the blind adherence to religious dogma such as that witnessed amongst the demographic that is under the powerful sway of the Roman Catholic Church. It has to be remembered that such sway was once effected through royal decree or military force, that is, non-adherence to the dogma was quite unceremoniously punished by death. We as a modern society should eradicate all vestiges of such a backward-looking way of life. It was as though Watson was trying to be nice to the creationists though he obviously did not accept what they believed in. He was trying to show a forgiving, accepting heart by implying their folly could be explained by genetics. I do not think all of man's folly can be explained by genetics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2020
This book is a bit of a mix between good and bad. The good is that it was an interesting story of how DNA was discovered and how it is used today. It goes into chapters on agriculture/GM crops, crime, and healthcare pretty thoroughly. It isn't the best book to listen to as audio, because of some of the detail and the frequent use of acronyms. If I was reading it in print, I'm sure I would go back over some sections/sentences a couple times.
The bad is when Watson's opinions come in real strong. He is for the pursuit of science at nearly any cost. He talks about how he was upset because of a delay in study of a simian virus and things because of the potential dangers of it passing on to humans. There was a 5 year delay or so and it ended up not being a danger, but he was angry that there was a delay. His opinion is the only one that matters, too, as he rips into people with different opinions on basically all the topics in the book. He not only defends Monsanto and GM crops, but claims it's better in every way that they had the "terminator" gene that forced farmers to buy all their seed from Monsanto, because the seed from their crops were non-germinating. He says it's better because then more money goes into research and better and better product. I can see his viewpoint, but not only is it an elitist viewpoint, but the way he says it in the book is a little extreme. I'm not against GM crops, but I am against his attitude toward everyone else. In addition he's angry about the religious right and their stances on abortion and and the politicians that bow to their 'draconian' will. He thinks that literally everyone should submit their DNA to the FBI because there is more benefit to the greater good than possible negatives. Among other complaints. All about that progress as fast as possible.
So, besides those few passages that irritated me, I thought it was pretty good overall. The narrator did a good job, also.
The bad is when Watson's opinions come in real strong. He is for the pursuit of science at nearly any cost. He talks about how he was upset because of a delay in study of a simian virus and things because of the potential dangers of it passing on to humans. There was a 5 year delay or so and it ended up not being a danger, but he was angry that there was a delay. His opinion is the only one that matters, too, as he rips into people with different opinions on basically all the topics in the book. He not only defends Monsanto and GM crops, but claims it's better in every way that they had the "terminator" gene that forced farmers to buy all their seed from Monsanto, because the seed from their crops were non-germinating. He says it's better because then more money goes into research and better and better product. I can see his viewpoint, but not only is it an elitist viewpoint, but the way he says it in the book is a little extreme. I'm not against GM crops, but I am against his attitude toward everyone else. In addition he's angry about the religious right and their stances on abortion and and the politicians that bow to their 'draconian' will. He thinks that literally everyone should submit their DNA to the FBI because there is more benefit to the greater good than possible negatives. Among other complaints. All about that progress as fast as possible.
So, besides those few passages that irritated me, I thought it was pretty good overall. The narrator did a good job, also.
January 12, 2021
More like 3.5.
I found this book easy to read and interesting to go through. Even though molecular biology is my background, and most of the topics discussed were even too familiar to me (hello you, lac operon: I thought I was taking a break from you, but I didn’t), it was nice to see the actual progression of molecular biology. The way I studied it, the progresses were shown in a more scattered way, but here there is a greater attention to the context, historical and technological, that led to fundamental discoveries of the field.
I think the book reads nicely and is a good reading for both scientists and “new comers”. Though I had the feeling sometimes it was evident were any addition made after the revision was. It felt as if there was a change in the pace of the narrative and, understandably, in order not to make the book as thick and heavy as a brick, some parts seemed to have been rushed through.
One thing I am not too happy with are the images. Thinking from the perspective of someone who is just approaching molecular biology, I would have preferred to see a clear reference in the text to a particular figure, for example “see figure x”. And I don’t know if this is a problem with my edition, but I found it annoying to have black and white figures where colours were mentioned. While some of them were of easy interpretation to me in either colour or not (but just because I have seen those pictures in colour somewhere else many times), others (especially those where protein structures and ligands are involved) were unreadable in the absence of colour. I think this could be a little annoying to anyone. So while not all pictures required to be printed in colour, I would suggest that at least those that are supposed to relay on it be printed all together in a section of the book dedicated.
If you are interested in molecular biology, or you would like to read something about it, I do suggest this book.
I found this book easy to read and interesting to go through. Even though molecular biology is my background, and most of the topics discussed were even too familiar to me (hello you, lac operon: I thought I was taking a break from you, but I didn’t), it was nice to see the actual progression of molecular biology. The way I studied it, the progresses were shown in a more scattered way, but here there is a greater attention to the context, historical and technological, that led to fundamental discoveries of the field.
I think the book reads nicely and is a good reading for both scientists and “new comers”. Though I had the feeling sometimes it was evident were any addition made after the revision was. It felt as if there was a change in the pace of the narrative and, understandably, in order not to make the book as thick and heavy as a brick, some parts seemed to have been rushed through.
One thing I am not too happy with are the images. Thinking from the perspective of someone who is just approaching molecular biology, I would have preferred to see a clear reference in the text to a particular figure, for example “see figure x”. And I don’t know if this is a problem with my edition, but I found it annoying to have black and white figures where colours were mentioned. While some of them were of easy interpretation to me in either colour or not (but just because I have seen those pictures in colour somewhere else many times), others (especially those where protein structures and ligands are involved) were unreadable in the absence of colour. I think this could be a little annoying to anyone. So while not all pictures required to be printed in colour, I would suggest that at least those that are supposed to relay on it be printed all together in a section of the book dedicated.
If you are interested in molecular biology, or you would like to read something about it, I do suggest this book.
June 1, 2021
I had bought this book when I was in 12th grade, hoping to finish it before I went to college. Unfortunately I didn't end up reading it and now I have finished my masters.
This is a really great book for people between 12th grade and first year of college who are looking to enter biology and for people who never read biology past school and are looking to dip their toes into it.
The style of writing is simple and fun. Its very well written.
It was great to read his personal opinions too although I must say I disagree with his rosy view of humanity and capitalism. As much as I agree with him on the fact that science of genetic engineering should go ahead at full speed, I do think we should be extremely wary of its social implications because genetic engineering has every potential to widen the gap between the two classes. I don't know where Watson gets such optimism from. I was hoping he would spend a few more lines criticising pharma and agricultural industries which has actively worked to stifle scientific progress(which seems to rightfully piss him off) and social progress(which he doesn't mention as often I was hoping he would).
All said and done, this is a great read for anyone looking to introduce themselves to everything modern biotechnology has to offer to humanity.
This is a really great book for people between 12th grade and first year of college who are looking to enter biology and for people who never read biology past school and are looking to dip their toes into it.
The style of writing is simple and fun. Its very well written.
It was great to read his personal opinions too although I must say I disagree with his rosy view of humanity and capitalism. As much as I agree with him on the fact that science of genetic engineering should go ahead at full speed, I do think we should be extremely wary of its social implications because genetic engineering has every potential to widen the gap between the two classes. I don't know where Watson gets such optimism from. I was hoping he would spend a few more lines criticising pharma and agricultural industries which has actively worked to stifle scientific progress(which seems to rightfully piss him off) and social progress(which he doesn't mention as often I was hoping he would).
All said and done, this is a great read for anyone looking to introduce themselves to everything modern biotechnology has to offer to humanity.
November 11, 2019
This book was very interesting and compelling. However it does have two drawbacks, hence the 4/5 rating.
First, there are some pictures in the book which would have been a great addition and would help clarify some of the tricky stuff, if it were not for the lack of color. The captions of the pictures would say something along the lines of “highlighted in red you see the enzyme attacking the protein, which is colorized blue”. This would app have been good and all, IF THE PICTURES WEREN’T BLACK AND WHITE!!!
Secondly, and this is solely my opinion and I understand the problem might lie with me, but some parts of the book were too heavy. The author states at the start of the book that he has tried to phrase and explain everything in such a manner that all people could understand it. Now i’m not a professor or anything, but I’m about to enter university and am 18 years old, and I found some parts just too difficult to follow. A little more depth and explanation would have been appreciated in some instances. Or maybe I’m just stupid.
First, there are some pictures in the book which would have been a great addition and would help clarify some of the tricky stuff, if it were not for the lack of color. The captions of the pictures would say something along the lines of “highlighted in red you see the enzyme attacking the protein, which is colorized blue”. This would app have been good and all, IF THE PICTURES WEREN’T BLACK AND WHITE!!!
Secondly, and this is solely my opinion and I understand the problem might lie with me, but some parts of the book were too heavy. The author states at the start of the book that he has tried to phrase and explain everything in such a manner that all people could understand it. Now i’m not a professor or anything, but I’m about to enter university and am 18 years old, and I found some parts just too difficult to follow. A little more depth and explanation would have been appreciated in some instances. Or maybe I’m just stupid.
March 20, 2023
The book DNA explains all the theories of renowned scientists' DNA ideas, like the experiments from Francis and Crick. I will be going through some of these experiments to show how DNA was indeed discovered and how long it took for scientists to learn it. The following paragraphs will detail Gregor Mendel’s experiments with genetics and how he found genes are passed down from parents to their children by experimenting with Peas. Most of the scientists were not acknowledged until the 1900s.
One of the experiments I like the most was Mendel’s discovery of how genetics are passed down through generations by experimenting with peas he was working at a monastery he realized mixing different pea genetics together made them become different colors like a light green or yellowish color which lead to the discovery of genetics being passed down to others through reproduction.
Another experiment I liked that the book talked about was Thomas Hunt Morgan’s experiment with fruit flies and their genetics. He cross-bred them with different fruit flys and some were born with different eye colors which proved that genetics are passed down from parents to their children.
Overall I liked the book a lot I liked learning about the multiple amounts of experiments that led to the discovery of DNA. I found it very interesting how creative some of these scientists were.
One of the experiments I like the most was Mendel’s discovery of how genetics are passed down through generations by experimenting with peas he was working at a monastery he realized mixing different pea genetics together made them become different colors like a light green or yellowish color which lead to the discovery of genetics being passed down to others through reproduction.
Another experiment I liked that the book talked about was Thomas Hunt Morgan’s experiment with fruit flies and their genetics. He cross-bred them with different fruit flys and some were born with different eye colors which proved that genetics are passed down from parents to their children.
Overall I liked the book a lot I liked learning about the multiple amounts of experiments that led to the discovery of DNA. I found it very interesting how creative some of these scientists were.
March 22, 2019
Told by the co-discoverer of the double helix, James D. Watson traces the history of the discovery of DNA through modern day advances. While he does offer technical details, they are still aimed at teaching people who have little or no background in the science. Each chapter builds upon the concepts introduced in the previous one, and he brings in other scientists who have added their contributions. Additionally, he does show how political attitudes often interferes with looking at science for science.
I had read his first book, "Double Helix" as a young undergraduate student thirty years ago. While I found the topic fascinating then, his earlier book did not capture me enough to want to pursue a career in genetics. If this book would have been written a couple decades earlier, I might have pursued a different career path. This book belongs in every General Science class in high school, and would also serve as a good introductory book in a survey collegiate class.
I had read his first book, "Double Helix" as a young undergraduate student thirty years ago. While I found the topic fascinating then, his earlier book did not capture me enough to want to pursue a career in genetics. If this book would have been written a couple decades earlier, I might have pursued a different career path. This book belongs in every General Science class in high school, and would also serve as a good introductory book in a survey collegiate class.
August 24, 2019
This palpable tome is a compendious evaluation of DNA stretching from history to biology, to the future benefits of genetic engineering. Within this work, there is ample sourced information, appositely constructing a foundation particularly for those without an academic background in biochemistry. Topics such as the history of eugenics, discovery of the structure of DNA and the early advent of biotechnology (insulin and human growth hormone) are cobbled-stones towards the latter portions which focus on the beneficially fruitful produce from genetics research: tackling disease. True to form, Watson does not shy away from some of the more noteworthy controversies in genetics research: GMO worries, ethics of genetic screening, nature versus nurture - in short, imparting worthwhile knowledge for those with little exposure to the field of genetics.
June 4, 2021
I was a little surprised by this book, written by one of the giants in the field. James Watson has a reputation for being a little stuck on himself, but you certainly wouldn't know it from this book. The work leading up to the discovery of the structure of DNA was covered well but with less detail than I expected. Then there's a good deal of discussion of the many directions the follow on research has gone and the resultant discoveries. Lots of information, well presented, clearly but quickly explained for a layman with some science background.
One downside is the book's age, it's nearly 20 years old. Clearly that's not Watson's fault, but much has happened since this was written making this less valuable. On a minor but positive note, I enjoyed his infrequent bits of humor; he got smiles out of me more than a couple times.
One downside is the book's age, it's nearly 20 years old. Clearly that's not Watson's fault, but much has happened since this was written making this less valuable. On a minor but positive note, I enjoyed his infrequent bits of humor; he got smiles out of me more than a couple times.
Shelved as 'reshelved'
August 22, 2022The brief introduction clearly shows that Watson is a narcissistic, religious fundamentalist (atheism/egoism). BTW Copernicus didn't discover heliocentricity, it was Aristarchus. And Darwin wasn't the first to hypothesize evolution as the deus ex machina of speciation (wrongly, as it turns out), as implied, it was Anaximander. N.B. evolution only facilitates/is the process of natural adaptive variation within a specific phenome and has NEVER been shown to be responsible for new speciation (the oxymoronic "fossil record", not a record because no DNA remains in a fossil by the very definition of fossil, notwithstanding)... Sorry atheists/egoists, but evolution isn't God, nor is DNA the God molecule.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews