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DNA: The Secret of Life, by James D. Watson
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James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA and author of the international bestseller The Double Helix, tells the story of the amazing molecule since its discovery fifty years ago, following modern genetics from his own Nobel prize-winning work in the fifties to today's Dolly the sheep, designer babies and GM foods. Professor Watson introduces the science of modern genetics, along with its history and its implications, in this magnificent guide to one of the most triumphant achievements of human science.
- Sales Rank: #1574858 in Books
- Published on: 2004-04-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 7.80" h x 1.30" w x 5.08" l, 1.39 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 512 pages
Amazon.com Review
What makes DNA different from hordes of competitors purporting to help readers understand genetics is that it is written by none other than James Watson, of Watson and Crick fame. He and his co-author Andrew Berry have produced a clear and easygoing history of genetics, from Mendel through genome sequencing. Watson offers readers a sense of immediacy, a behind-the scenes familiarity with some of the most exciting developments in modern science. He gleefully reports on the research juggernaut that led to current obsessions with genetic engineering and cloning. Aided by profuse illustrations and photos, Watson offers an enthusiastic account of how scientists figured out how DNA codes for the creation of proteins--the so-called "central dogma" of genetics. But as patents and corporations enter the picture, Watson reveals his concern about the incursions of business into the hallowed halls of science.
After 1975, DNA was no longer solely the concern of academics trying to understand the molecular underpinnings of life. The molecule moved beyond the cloisters of white-coated scientists into a very different world populated largely by men in silk ties and sharp suits.
In later chapters, Watson aims barbs at those who are concerned by genetic tinkering, calling them "alarmists" who don't understand how the experiments work. It is in these arguments that Watson may lose favor with those whose notions of science were born after Silent Spring. Nevertheless, DNA encompasses both sides of the political issues involved in genetics, and Watson is an enthusiastic proponent of debate on the subject. The book accompanies a 5-part PBS series. --Therese Littleton
From Publishers Weekly
Who better than James Watson to lead a guided tour of DNA? When he and his English colleague, Francis Crick, discovered the double helix structure of the DNA molecule in 1953, little could they imagine that a mere 50 years later scientists would be putting the finishing touches on a map of the human genome. In this magisterial work, Watson, who won the Nobel Prize with Crick for their discovery, guides readers through the startling and rapid advances in genetic technology and what these advances will mean for our lives. Watson covers all aspects of the genome, from the layout of four simple bases on the DNA molecule through their complex construction into genes, then to the mechanisms whereby proteins produced by genes create our uniquely human characteristics-as well as the genetic mutations that can cause illnesses or inherited diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease. Watson may have mellowed a little over the years since he displayed his youthful brashness in The Double Helix, but he still isn't shy about taking on controversial subjects. He criticizes biotech corporations for patenting genes, making diagnostic medical procedures horribly expensive and damping further basic research. He notes that while China and other countries with large populations to feed have eagerly grasped the potential of genetically modified foodstuffs, America squandered $100 million on a recall of taco shells and the genetically modified corn used in them. He pleads passionately for the refinement and widespread use of prenatal genetic testing. Watson will probably provoke the most controversy with his criticism of scientists, corporations and government funding sources for their avoidance of important areas of research-notably the genetics of skin coloration-for political reasons. Every reader who wants to understand their own medical future will want to read this book. 100 color and b&w illus.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Watson celebrates the 50th anniversary of the discovery of DNA. Catch him on the five-part PBS series in April or on the eight-city author tour.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Watson Provides an Excellent Summary with his characteristic wit and sometimes polarizing approach
By M. Werner
I assigned this book to the students of an honors class I recently taught at Lake Superior State University, entitled "DNA: The Secret of Life". Not only was the name of this course the same as the book, but I closely matched the order of topics presented in the class to those found in the book. Because there are only 13 short chapters, this allowed for reading assignments of approximately one chapter per week to fill out a 14 week semester. The book not only covers some of the early history that led to the discovery of DNA as the genetic material, but it also examines the complex issues brought about by having an increased knowledge of the hereditary molecule. In addition to reading the book, our class also watched several episodes of the companion PBS documentary of the same name, thus enhancing the reading experience.
I found Watson's writing style easily approachable and targeted to the advanced high school or college educated reader. The interjection of personal stories and encounters that Watson had with various researchers provided insights that only one of the discoverers of the structure of this molecule could provide. Watson has often been viewed as a polarizing figure, and his writing pulls no punches on certain topics such as the ethical nature of genetic testing, evolution of humans, the race to describe the human genome, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While making clear his own views on these topics, he provides enough information that the critical reader is left with a feeling that many of the dilemmas presented by the DNA molecule are complex and have no "right" answer.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Pieces of the Puzzle:
By LastRanger
At the heart of every cell lies a collection of molecules that hold the key to biology's incredible diversity: DNA. In his 2003 book "DNA: The Secret of Life" molecular biologist James D Watson gives the reader an in depth tour of genetics, it's history, where it stands today and where it's going tomorrow. In the early 1950s Watson, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, codiscovered the hidden structure of DNA, for which they shared the 1962 Nobel Prize. That discovery is pretty well covered in "The Double Helix" so, if you've read that one, this book may be covering some familiar ground for you. But if you, like me, have not read TDH then DNA will serve as a good introduction to that era. Watson covers the early history of genetics starting in the early 19th century with Gregor Mendel and his work on heredity of the pea plants. The term "genetics" was coined about 1909 by a British biologist, William Bateson. But even before Mendel and Bateson people were thinking about heredity; theories like pangenesis and homunculus were popular for a time. Darwin proposed Natural Selection in 1859 but was troubled by not knowing a mechanism for his Theory of Evolution. Seven years later Mendel published his findings on pea plant heredity in an obscure Austrian/German journal but it took a long time before the two theories got together. The 20th century was a heady time for genetic research, competition between scientists reached an all time high as everyone searched for the correct molecular structure of DNA. Watson, having lived through those days, knew all those players in a professional, and sometimes personal, way. But when big business and the government got into the fray, things changed. With giant chemical companies investing millions into R&D, and expecting substantial profits in return, the days of free "exchange of knowledge" were over. Some scientists saw big business as an opportunity for unlimited research funding and for personal profit as well. Now the chemical companies, and some scientists, were seeking copyright patients on their discoveries so that anyone wishing to do additional research or even related research would have to pay-up first. Nowadays anything related to "genetics" is, for good or bad, in the public eye. Things like cloning, growth enhancement, GMO's in food and medicine are highly controversial for everyone; health care professionals, consumers, politicians and scientists as well. But no matter where you stand on these issues, you need to be well informed on the science involved and this book is a good starting point to that end. But there's more to genetics that the controversial issues mentioned above and Watson gives the reader an in depth look at the many different facets of this important science. Some of the topics covered are: the origin and evolution of life; medical research on human disease, genetic and otherwise; genetics in forensic law enforcement (like CSI); human evolution, how and when we came "out of Africa" and the Nature vs Nurture debate. Watson's writing is clear and informative, not to mention entertaining, and he gives a good overview of the history and workings of genetic research. You may not agree with everything the good professor has to say but after reading this book you'll have a clearer understanding of the issues. Filled with cutting edge science of the day DNA: The Secret of Life was scientifically up to date in 2003 but, like any science, a lot has changed since then. New findings and theories not withstanding this book is still as relevant and controversial as it was a decade ago. For the layperson reader DNA:SOL is a good jumping off place to newer publications and different authors in molecular biology and genetic research. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a open, but skeptical, mind with some experience in reading science. I had no technical or formatting problems with this Kindle edition and, as far as I could tell, all the illustrations, charts and photos are included.
Last Ranger
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
DNA The secret of Life
By Ralph D. Hermansen
If you want to know something about the role of DNA in the 21st century, who could be a better source of information than the man, who discovered its structure and pioneered its technology. That man is James Watson, the author of "DNA The Secret of Life".
Watson and Crick beat Chemistry's superstar, Linius Pauling, in the race to decipher DNA's chemical structure in 1953. Since then, science has made amazing progress in broading and applying that knowledge. Watson tells that story in this book. He, himself, played very important roles in pushing the scientific envelope, including his leadership of the Human Genome Project.
In the last second, our bodies each produced millions of new cells. Watson explains how this process works, starting with the reading of the DNA code and the activities of messenger and transfer RNA in assembling a protein. We humans, were not content to merely understand this process. We audaciously put those tiny factories to work for us. We learned how to splice DNA at a point if our choosing. We learned how to insert a gene of our choosing into a bacteria's DNA. We put the cell's factories to work for us making medical products. If we only had a minute sample of DNA, we learned how to make millions of copies of it. In short, we created the biotechnology industry.
Watson tells how Amgen and Genentech raced to be first to produce human insulin by recombinant DNA processing. It was another race against time.
He tells about the Human Genome Project (HGP), which was perhaps more ambitious than putting a man on the moon. Consider that our DNA is billions of letters long. Enormous breakthrough were made in the chemical analysis techniques. The sequencing rate was made faster and faster by brilliant breakthroughs. The HGP, once thought to be impossible, was finished ahead of schedule.
DNA technology will replace many of today's medical techniques in the years ahead. It allows us to understand the enemy and to attack it in a precise manner. The cure of cancers and AIDS will come from DNA technology. Heart disease too. Watson explains the hows and whys of future medical advances.
Gene therapy is in its infancy. Imagine having all the cells in your body made more perfect.
Tracing human origins, finding the ancestral paths of living things, fingerprinting with DNA, forecasting the health of a human embryo, and other topics are also covered in this book.
James Watson: He be the man!!
Reviewed by Ralph D. Hermansen, 12-01-07
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