• ISBN13: 9780201155846

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With elegant simplicity, Maxim D. Frank-Kamenetskii elucidates the essential history and inner workings of DNA—a tiny molecule that holds within it the deepest mysteries of life. As Frank-Kamenetskii explains, DNA will undoubtedly shape our future, too, as we call upon it to convict criminals, clone creatures, and ultimately, cure cancer. This definitive guide to DNA, a previous version of which sold over 300,000 copies in the author’s native Russia, promises to both inform and inspire.

Kamenetski did provide some interesting tidbits. The coiled string of DNA in each human cell is 7 feet long when stretched out. Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, isn't an acid at all, rather its a salt. Plants cannot assimilate nitrogen from the air and must have a symbiosis with nitrogen fixing bacteria in order to produce proteins. The success of cancer cell growth lies in their ability to disarm cancer killing T-cells by ordering them to commit suicide-apoptosis. The ribosome process acts like a molecular computer to translate the nucleotide language of DNA and RNA into the language of proteins called amino acids. This specialized computer uses only one program called the genetic code.

Kamenetski points to claimed successes with AIDS and atherosclerosis and successes in manufacturing insulin, interferon and growth hormone. The author hints at further futuristic breakthroughs in genetic engineering that will crumble the species mixing barrier. This will make the chimeras of Greek mythology commonplace. He foresees the day when diagnosis of all disease will stem from DNA analysis and when chemically modified DNA will be used as drugs. People will then greet each other with, "How's your genetic health?" But who knows whether future discoveries will reveal that everybody's DNA contains the seeds of its own death? Who knows whether cellular degeneration will become synonymous with maturation?

In reply to the the purpose of life, selfish gene arguments -replication of genes in one's children shows next to nothing. What is more telling, say, is whether man's genius could invent a spaceship that would permit travel to and population of other worlds?

14 of 31 found the following review helpful:


A clear review of DNA  Jan 18, 1999 By nuenke@ix.netcom.com
The Most Important Molecule of Life, Maxim D. Frank-Kamenetskii gives a clear understanding of genetics without political overtones. For a good understanding of the mechanics of genes this is an excellent book. But he is not without some philosophical thoughts on the subject. "It is very hard to admit that there is only one single reason for each of us to come into this world: to transmit our DNA to the next generation. There is absolutely no other purpose for us to be born. It is very uncomfortable to realize that our body is actually nothing more than a shell to carry DNA. There is no difference, with respect to this goal of existence, between a human and a bacterium, or a simple virus, or even a plasmid. From the biological viewpoint, people have been wandering in darkness trying to find the goal of their existence in cults, religions, music, poetry, and fine arts. Although they all have the same goal, various species differ drastically with respect to the means they have at their disposal to reach this goal. Keeping in mind the simplicity of the goal, the diversity and the degree of sophistication that nature demonstrates seems truly amazing. However, if you think about it, you will realize that under conditions of fierce competition for limited resources, more primitive organisms should eventually lose to more sophisticated organisms, let alone different species. It still remains to he seen whether humans are sophisticated enough to avoid eventually following the fate of dinosaurs. One can state that the above argument is correct only for rather sophisticated organisms, like animals, and that primitive organisms like bacteria, viruses, and plasmids compensate for their lack of sophistication by their ability to multiply with fantastic speed." The above is unabashed science, bringing you stark reality without cowardice and aversion. Richard Dawkins coined the term the selfish gene, and in his latest book Unweaving the Rainbow he takes on the assumption that genes are destiny. Humans alone can use their immense creative power not only to build upon science and technology, we can create and purposefully direct our own evolution. This is the most creative endeavor ever undertaken, and our best hope for peace and happiness without disease or want while turning from the material to the intellectual. Marxists would deny people this intellectual world for one filled with material needs only. For leftist intellectuals to deny others access to this world is cowardly, elitist and hateful.