DNA: The Secret of Life
by James Watson
Arrow $123
On June 26, 2000, then US president Bill Clinton announced: 'Today, we are learning the language in which God created life. With this profound new knowledge, humankind is on the verge of gaining immense, new power to heal.' Nobel laureate James Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, has written a comprehensive guide to the most important scientific discovery of our time. Through lively writing, he covers the double helix, biotechnology, the human genome, evolution, genetic fingerprinting and the nature versus nurture debate. It's part science, part history and part gossipy guide to the principal people and conflicts. The popular science shelves of bookstores are crammed with books on genetics. If you want to buy one, this is it.