The Genetic Inferno: Inside the Seven Deadly Sins - Hardcover

Medina, John J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521640644 ISBN 13: 9780521640640

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2000

Synopsis

What makes us react or feel the way we do? If you have ever asked yourself this question, then let gifted writer John Medina take you on a fascinating tour of the questions involved in the quest to understand the biological basis of human behavior. By describing the gap that exists between a human behavior and a human gene, this captivating book both clarifies and debunks ideas about the genetic roots of behavior, from the genes of divorce to the tendency to eat chocolate. Using Dante's The Divine Comedy as an organizing framework, The Genetic Inferno explains each of the "seven deadly sins"--lust, gluttony, avarice, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride--in terms of twentieth century genes and brains. Written by a practicing research scientist, this book is not only for biologists, but for literature majors, business people, and parents--indeed anyone interested in how our genes work to make us behave the way we do.

About this title

Book Description:

What makes us react or feel the way we do? If you have ever asked yourself this question, then let gifted writer John Medina take you on a tour of the fascinations and frustrations involved in the quest to understand the biological basis of human behavior. Using Dante's The Divine Comedy as an organizing framework, The Genetic Inferno explains each of the Seven Deadly Sins, but in terms of twentieth century genes and brains. Written by a practicing research scientist, this book is for anyone, regardless of knowledge of biology.

About the Author:

Dr John Medina is a molecular biologist on the faculty of the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also a consultant and regular columnist for an American psychiatric organization on the genetics and neurobiology of human behavior. In the course of his research career, which has included the isolation and characterization of genes involved in cardiovascular development, Dr Medina became concerned with the public communication of biological sciences to both lay and professional medical audiences. He was recently recognized as the Merrill Dow/Continuing Medical Education Teacher of the Year.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0521640644
• ISBN 13: 9780521640640
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 356