Arc Book Review: Our Genetic Future: The Unintended Consequences of Overcoming Natural Selection

A well-researched, thought-provoking book that can be enjoyed by science lovers.

Our Genetic Future: The Unintended Consequences of Overcoming Natural Selection by William Blau

Synopsis

The genetic viability of our species is at risk. Three major events in human history have altered the trajectory of human genetic evolution, with lasting effects. First, we migrated out of Africa, ultimately colonizing the entire planet. Second, we developed agricultural societies which allowed local populations to grow and become more sedentary. Most concerning, we have learned how to control and modify our environments to such a degree that most of the historical mechanisms of natural selection no longer apply to us.

In Our Genetic Future, Dr. William S. Blau MD, PhD provides a roadmap to understanding the genetic impact of each of these events. Are we still evolving? What is our future genetic fate in the setting of unprecedented cultural/technological advances combined with the profound growth of our global species? Is our genome improving or are there unforeseen consequences of our success that threaten our continued survival? What can we do to avoid genetic deterioration? This fascinating and illuminating book seeks to provide answers to these questions and more - a must-read for anyone concerned about the genetic fate of the human species.

Dive into my Arc Review

In this book, Dr. Blau does a great job of taking a complicated topic and making it engaging to his readers. Dr. Blau addressed the idea of the impact of our evolution as a species on our natural selection. He talks about some of the aspects that have contributed to our species overcoming natural selection. These included medical technology, culture, and socioeconomic factors.

Throughout the book, Dr. Blau ensures to deliver the topics in manageable sections. He also provides simplified and straightforward definitions that any reader can understand. This shows Dr. Blau’s intricate knowledge of natural selection as it is difficult to take scientific topics and make them digestible for all.

I appreciated that the research in this book was up-to-date and relevant. Dr. Blau even mentions gene therapy for the disease of Spinal Muscular Atrophy which I have. Reading the accuracy of what he was telling his readers made me appreciate the work more.

Although this is a non-fiction that contains research, you cannot mistake this for a boring textbook. The discussion in this book tends to bring up interesting ideas and points that make me want to investigate further beyond its pages.

If there was one thing that kept me from giving this book five stars it was the over-explanation of some terms that require understanding of population statistics. For those who are scholars, this may not be an issue, but for readers who enjoy scientific nonfiction, it could be bothersome and cause them to skip forward.

Overall, I gave this book 4/5 stars ★★★★☆. Natural selection is not something that is linear. For many people, it's a complicated topic that requires understanding and believing in the evolution of the human species. The author was able to take this and reduce it into digestible and understandable chapters for the reader. It is well-organized and thought-provoking. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a lover of anything biology.

I received a free ARC from Discovery, you can view my original Arc review.

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