Epigenetics

Biology background helpful

Great synopsis on the current state of epigentics. It is definitely helpful to have a background with some biology knowledge, at least intro college biology.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not so spooky science

Concise and scientific introduction to the field. Author uses humor and flair along with interesting case studies and good uses of metaphor. For example think of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The script of Romeo and Juliet is akin to the DNA genetic code. The various and highly different theatrical productions and movies based on the same script but appearing very different are a metaphor forepigenetic direction. The science is developing and exciting but spooky supernaturalism and mysticism is not necessary to learn more about this engaging subject.as noted by the author it is more helpful to think of epigenetic's in terms of the cellular and molecular machinery rather then some type etheral software code programmed by a designer. I would recommend this book to a general reader interested in the subject.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Useful, but fell short

The book was extremely useful in its explanation of what epigenetics is and how it works. But what I wanted to also understand is how one can reverse this sort of genetic imprinting. It mentioned this only briefly in the last chapter and in the epilogue. I wish a larger portion of the book was dedicated to that.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good on Eugenics, horrible on political bias

I was looking for a book my precocious 15 year old would like for summer reading in her self-described "potential career path". This fit the bill in that it gives a very clear and cogent description of the field and unanswered questions. It doesn't get bogged down in bio-jargon and I'm confident my 15 yr old will be able to understand it completely.

What my 15 year-old doesn't need is the politically snide and holier-than-thou remarks sprinkled throughout the text. It's interesting to have an author as a scientist be exacting in his wording only to have the next paragraph make sweeping generalizations about political leanings or beliefs.

But I still recommend it. And I'm curios what my 15 year-old will sa about the political asides or even notice them...

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

a great book on epigenetics

Great book and narration. highly recommend. does not require a hard science background to understand

Dated but decent

This is a fair but limited review of the basics of epigenetics. As a biologist I was left at the end with a desire for a more up-to-date review. It nonetheless cover some bases

Good.

Really interesting stuff. Read really well. However, it was easy to become distracted with my own thoughts and have to go back quite a way and re-listen. I really don't know how I would fix this lack of attention-grabbing, but I LOVE this topic!

A bit technical for an audio book

As a person experienced in the fields of biology, I found this book a good summary. However it would probably be a bit complex for the average reader.

Interesting information

A scientific background is a must in order to fully comprehend the material being presented

Epigenetics : An Update

Quite informative. Read a bit too fast, but still very tractable. I would recommend this to any biologist and nonbiologist alike.