Evolving Ourselves

How Unnatural Selection and Nonrandom Mutation are Changing Life on Earth

By: Juan Enriquez, Steve Gullans

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

A sweeping, paradigm-shifting account of how evolution is no longer driven just by nature but also by human choices

Why are conditions like autism, asthma, obesity, and allergies exploding at unprecedented rates? Why are we living longer, getting smarter, having far fewer kids? If Darwin was alive today, how would he explain this new world?

Today’s humans have developed such profound capabilities for redesigning bacteria, plants, animals, and ourselves that random mutation and natural selection are no longer the primary determinants of which species survive and how they change over time. Evolution is now increasingly driven by two forces: Unnatural Selection (what lives and dies has to do with human desires and choices, not the natural ability to reproduce and thrive) and Nonrandom Mutation (our techniques have gotten so precise that we can drastically alter the genetics of any life form).

Evolving Ourselves is a chronicle of how life is evolving to meet our specs and choices, of how we can change our own biology, and of the unintended consequences for future generations. It proves that how we use our enormous power over life forms and our ability to engineer new environments will determine nothing less than the survival of humanity.

One of the best books I've ever heard

Where does Evolving Ourselves rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The content is so interesting and it was written in such a way that you don't want to stop listening to it. I was completely sorry it was over. Most of what I found there was new for me. I am just anxiously waiting to find a new book from Juan Enriquez

What was one of the most memorable moments of Evolving Ourselves?

Lots of moments were memorable, as it jumps from one interesting discovery to another one.

Have you listened to any of Rob Shapiro’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I can't compare it with another one. I don't pay attention to who is talking but what they say

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Genetics; going beyond the limits of your imagination

super interesante

muy buen libro. excelente lectura para los amantes de la ciencia. vale la pena leer.

Great Narration and very knowledgeable author

I love the beginning… Very Scientific, knowledgeable and makes me think deep… Looking forward to many books in future… thanks

fascinating ideas and science

this was a well written and engaging book that kept me thinking. it covers and brings together many topics that encompass the past future and present state of human species, technology, natural and unnatural selection. and what this has meant for the evolutionary path of humanity.

great perspectives

this author has great perspectives and followed them with current, relevant examples and research. great read!