The Gene: An Intimate History (2016) by Siddhartha Mukherjee is a sweeping, deeply personal exploration of genetics, from its scientific origins to its ethical frontiers. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mukherjee (The Emperor of All Maladies) weaves together science, history, and memoir, tracing humanity’s quest to decipher heredity—from Mendel’s peas to CRISPR’s gene-editing revolution.
The book unfolds in two parts:
- “The Gene”: Chronicles breakthroughs by Darwin, Mendel, Watson & Crick, and the Human Genome Project.
- “Post-Genome”: Grapples with modern dilemmas—designer babies, genetic discrimination, and the shadow of eugenics (including Mukherjee’s own family history of mental illness).
Mukherjee’s prose is lyrical yet precise, making complex concepts accessible. A landmark work for understanding identity, disease, and the future of medicine.
