Epigenetics

The Ultimate Mystery of Inheritance

By: Richard C. Francis

Narrated by: Kurt Elftmann

Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Goodbye, genetic blueprint.... The first book for general listeners on the game-changing field of epigenetics.

The burgeoning new science of epigenetics offers a cornucopia of insights - some comforting, some frightening. For example, the male fetus may be especially vulnerable to certain common chemicals in our environment, in ways that damage not only his own sperm but also the sperm of his sons. And it’s epigenetics that causes identical twins to vary widely in their susceptibility to dementia and cancer. But here’s the good news: unlike mutations, epigenetic effects are reversible. Indeed, epigenetic engineering is the future of medicine.

©2011 Richard C. Francis (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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

Total waste of money

This was so badly written the narrator had no chance to make this good. Don't waste your money

Decent overview

Thought this book was a good general overview of our our environment can affect gene expression. I appreciated that it didn’t get too terribly technical, rather gives the listener the fundamentals on environmental consequences. It’s a short listen, and if you’re interested in health & scientific research this is a good starting point.

Written to be read not listened

Too many acronyms in chapters specially cancer, Overall a good introductory account, worth the orice,

fascinating explanation

fascinating explanation of the origin of epigenetics. I also had no idea of the relationship between stem cells and cancer.

Great Exploration of Epigenetic Differentiation

The lay person's peek into what makes us unique. Teaser for follow-up studies or research.

very good

I personally wished he had focused more on the genetic machinery side of things and how they work and are affected. I understand though that this is a book for everyone and it certainly has a widely appealing and fascinating scope, definitely worth the money as far as I am concerned.

good effort but not best pop sci

interesting and complex topic, but I think the author struggles a little to balance academic and pop sci writing, and not sure it works great by either measure

incredibly interesting

some of the languages is a bit old, but makes the whole subject really accessible.

Dull serving up of interesting information

Delivery is unfortunately dull, fascinating topic, though this is not the book to start with

It is a wonderful little book on the theory of epi

It is a wonderful little book on the theory of epigenetics. I particularly loved Chapter 5, on Metalation and Changes in genes activation.

The book is made numerous stories and examples through life, movies, and science experiments.

Direction change for genetics

Very interesting book .... very different from my biology classes in the 1970s! A paradigm change.