Living with Our Genes: The Groundbreaking Book About the Science of Personality, Behavior, and Genetic Destiny - Softcover

Hamer, Dean H.; Copeland, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0385485840 ISBN 13: 9780385485845

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1999

Synopsis

"A lucid, thought-provoking account of the case for 'nature' as a determinant of personality."—Peter D. Kramer, Author of Listening to Prozac and Should You Leave?

Nowhere is the nature-nurture controversy being more arduously tested than in the labs of world-renowned molecular scientist Dean Hamer, whose cutting-edge research has indisputably linked specific genes to behavioral traits, such as anxiety, thrill-seeking, and homosexuality. The culmination of that research is this provocative book, Living with Our Genes. In it, Dr. Hamer reveals that much of our behavior—how much we eat and weigh, whether we drink or use drugs, how often we have sex—is heavily influenced by genes. His findings help explain why one brother becomes a Wall Street trader, while his sibling remains content as a librarian, or why some people like to bungee-jump, while others prefer Scrabble. Dr. Hamer also sheds light on some of the most compelling and vexing aspects of personality, such as shyness, aggression, depression, and intelligence.
 
In the tradition of the bestselling book Listening to Prozac, Living with Our Genes is the first comprehensive investigation of the crucial link between our DNA and our behavior.

"Compulsive reading, reminiscent of Jared Diamond, from a scientist who knows his stuff and communicates it well."—Kirkus Reviews

"A pioneer in the field of molecular psychology, Hamer is exploring the role genes play in governing the very core of our individuality. Accessible . . . provocative."—Time

"Absolutely terrific! I couldn't put it down."—Professor Robert Plomin, Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Research Center, Institute of Psychiatry

About this title

Review

How many of our faults are in our genetic stars, and how many in ourselves? Human geneticist Dean Hamer, whose research team found the popularly termed "gay gene," surveys what is currently known about the inheritance of human behavior and personality. Hamer and science writer Peter Copeland take a calm, broad-minded look at hot-button topics such as sex, drugs (especially tobacco and alcohol), and violence, as well as anxiety, intelligence, and eating habits. Their conclusions are solidly on the side of both nature and nurture: "A DNA map offers possibilities and predictions but not certainty.... Free will is alive and well, and probably genetic."

From the Inside Flap

e behave exactly the same. There are overeaters and undereaters, alcoholics and teetotalers, over--and underachievers. We have adventurers and armchair travelers, Don Juans and wallflowers, the timid and the bold-and every possible mixture and variation. Living With Our Genes argues that genes are the single most important factor in the wondrous variability of human behavior. In the past, studies of twins supported the assumption that inheritance plays a major role in why we feel or behave the way we do. Now, scientists are developing an impressive arsenal of research to identify the individual genes that guide human behavior.
Living With Our Genes will help readers understand their particular genetic make-up and decipher the mysteries of genetically inherited behavioral traits. Chapters are organized by various traits or characteristics so that readers can quickly turn to the issues most pressing in their lives, whether it's body weight or moodines

Edition details

• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0385485840
• ISBN 13: 9780385485845
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 368