The Wisdom of the Genes New Pathways in Evolution

In this assessment of Darwinism, Christopher Wills explains how, during the course of their long histories, genes have acquired a "wisdom" that enables them to change more easily in some directions than in others. He opens up the recently discovered "molecular toolboxes" of evolution to reveal the workings of jumping genes, supergenes, and building-block genes - structures that have enormous implications for medicine and our understanding of how cells and organisms work, as well as revealing in great detail how the genes themselves have evolved. Conveying the excitement of scientists who are about to harness the processes of evolution to explore - and perhaps change - our genetic makeup, "The Wisdom of the Genes" traces the course of billions of years of life in order to show how the accumulated wisdom of this genetic machinery has shaped everything from mimicry in butterflies to our own remarkable immune systems.

The process of evolution is becoming "easier with time," according to Wills (biology, Univ. of Cal.). During three bil lion years of practice, evolutionary "tool boxes" (e.g., jumping genes, super gene complexes) have arisen which facilitate an organism's ability to evolve. Citing ex amples in which enhanced genetic evolu tion con be witnessed in the laboratory (antibodies, glycolytic enzymes, insect su pergene complexes) and suggesting possi ble pathways taken through evolutionary history, the author illustrates a novel the ory of evolution. Wills makes frequent and effective use of analogies to make these extraordinary processes comprehensible. Nevertheless, some of his book may be out of reach of those not well versed in chemis try or biology. This solid contribution to evolutionary theory is appropriate for aca demic or major public libraries.
-Laurie Bartolini, Lincoln Lib., Springfield, Ill.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.