The Language of Genetics

Some readers may be familiar with Denis Alexander's work at the interface between science and religion, currently as director of the Faraday Institute in Cambridge. Here he provides a highly readable introduction to the whole field of genetics without presupposing any technical knowledge or background expertise. He runs through genes and information, genetic variations, genes and evolution and the genetic basis of disease. He also covers the impact of epigenetics, which has brought a much more complex understanding to the field. Although he regards the term genetic engineering is an unfortunate one, he discusses the processes that underlie it and possible applications in medicine, animal breeding and plants. Here he puts his money on potential improvement in plant roots. He also surveys the relative uptake of GM agriculture worldwide but says little about the political agenda underlying this process, namely total control of the world food supply. Finally, he considers the role of genes in informing the big questions of life involving identity, God and evolution.