The Compatibility Gene

How Our Bodies Fight Disease, Attract Others, and Define Our Selves

By: Daniel M. Davis

Narrated by: Christopher Grove

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The Compatibility Gene takes readers on a global journey of discovery spanning 60 years, involving scores of scientists, and encompassing the history of transplants and immunology. That journey has revealed astonishing links between who we are as individuals and our never-ceasing struggle to survive disease. Most of the 25,000 genes we possess are the same for all of us. Compatibility genes are those that vary most from person to person and give each of us a unique molecular signature. These genes determine both the extent to which we are susceptible to a vast range of illnesses and the different ways each of us fights disease. In The Compatibility Gene, distinguished immunologist Daniel Davis draws on new research to suggest a number of even more fascinating - and controversial - conclusions about compatibility genes: that we find others more or less sexy according to their compatibility genes (dating services are starting to match people in this way); that the wiring between some neurons is kept or broken according to the activity of compatibility genes; and that compatibility genes influence the chances of a couple having a successful pregnancy. Profoundly personal, life-forming, and life-changing decisions appear to be governed by the actions of a few inherited genes. Most importantly, Davis proposes that because we each respond slightly differently to any particular disease, in the not-too-distant future vaccines and other medications may be tailored to match our compatibility genes, a revolutionary breakthrough in the fight against disease. Including vivid portraits of the scientists who worked tirelessly to unlock the secrets of compatibility genes, as well as patients who survived disease due to lucky genetic inheritances, The Compatibility Gene explains an aspect of human biology that will undoubtedly have profound impacts on medical practice in the 21st Century.

©2014 Daniel M. Davis (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Cosmos-like story telling applied to physiology

Where does The Compatibility Gene rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

For educational audio books this is at the very top of my list, and Im already listening to some of it a second time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Compatibility Gene?

I love biographical type stories interweave with the explanation of the science, and especially enjoy the focus on the experments/results cycles. It was a wonderful journey of how we came out of a darker age of immune system understanding, and like all good science fills you with questions and possibilities for the future.

What about Christopher Grove’s performance did you like?

A very clear, easy to follow reading, quite easy to enjoy on a long car drive which is exactly what I did. I know a lot of people are sticklers for having the author read the book, but that is not always a good thing. The narrator did an excellent professional job and any book he reads in the future I will be more likely to buy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and I nearly did.

Any additional comments?

In this age of vaccine and even science denialism its a truly wonderful idea to educate yourself on the physiology and experimentally produced evidence regarding the immune system. Armed with real knowledge you can make much better decisions. While this was not the focus of the book it is certainly relevant and timely knowledge to have and worth the time to listen.

Not bad (skip ch 8)

Mostly an informative book on what our compatibility genes are and how they relate to our immune system, the sections that shift towards soft science (ie. The smell chapter) and other opinionated comments threw me off from the facts that were presented mostly clearly throughout the book.

Makes me want to learn more

Although I will have to do more reading & research to gain more understanding of DNA, genetics, and so forth (for the last science course I had taken was over 6years ago), this was a great book to listen to. The speaker and content of book kept my attention. This is a book I will listen to over and over again.

If interested in medicine, got to read

As a layperson and Immuno-Oncology healthcare investor since 1968, I thought I knew this stuff. Interesting 99% was new and useful to know.

Good Book, Poor Narration

Interesting book, although I think some parts did meander a bit. Ultimately I wasn't a fan of the narrator and that ruined the book a little for me.

Excellent!

I stayed up way past my bedtime listening to this one. Just didn't want to stop.

Fascinating

This is one I'm going to go ahead and by a hardcopy of for my research collection.

genetic study

good work.
kept my attention which is a challenge on itself. insights into many areas that I was not familiar with.