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ART OF GENES PAPER: How Organisms Make Themselves
Over the past twenty years there has been a revolution in biology--for the first time scientists have been able to unravel the details of how organisms make themselves. The mechanisms by which a fertilized egg develops into an adult can now be grasped in a way that was unimaginable a few decades ago. The Art of Genes is the first account of these exciting new findings, and of their broader significance in how we view ourselves.
Through a highly original synthesis of sciece and art, Enrico Coen vividly describes this revolution in our understanding of how plants and animals develop. Drawing on a wide range of material--from flowers growing petals instead of sex organs, and flies that develop an extra pair of wings, to works of art by Leonardo and Magritte--he explains in lively accessible prose the meaning of genes. Coen draws parallels between the way genes respond to the developing pattern of an organism and the way an artist responds to a painting being created on canvas, a memorable analogy that shows how the organism develops through an interactive dialogue in which there is no separation between plan and execution.
There have been many attempts to resolve the paradox of how organisms make themselves. Lucid, authoritative, and entertaining, The Art of Genes offers fresh and exciting insights into the nature of evolution, development, and human creativity.
Through a highly original synthesis of sciece and art, Enrico Coen vividly describes this revolution in our understanding of how plants and animals develop. Drawing on a wide range of material--from flowers growing petals instead of sex organs, and flies that develop an extra pair of wings, to works of art by Leonardo and Magritte--he explains in lively accessible prose the meaning of genes. Coen draws parallels between the way genes respond to the developing pattern of an organism and the way an artist responds to a painting being created on canvas, a memorable analogy that shows how the organism develops through an interactive dialogue in which there is no separation between plan and execution.
There have been many attempts to resolve the paradox of how organisms make themselves. Lucid, authoritative, and entertaining, The Art of Genes offers fresh and exciting insights into the nature of evolution, development, and human creativity.
399 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 2, 2017
أحَبّ الكتب على قلبي اللي تجمع بين العلم والفن. كوين بهالكتاب حاول يفسر عمل الجينات في بعض الظواهر الطبيعية مثل التكاثر والشم والحركة وتناظر الجسم وغيرها ويربطها ببعض المفاهيم والأعمال في الفن.
November 30, 2019
For a non-academic like myself this was a great introduction to genes, their development and their method of attraction. He uses an artistic-painting based analogy to describe biological development which I found particularly useful. Not sure whatever new knowledge that is out there (since my reading of this in 2002) would make of the text, but I'm sure the overall theme would hold up well. I'm no geneticist, but I liked it and am glad to have it in my library.
September 8, 2011
The book tries to explain the basic concepts of developmental biology. But the analogy with painting can only carry you so far.
November 29, 2019
This was a fascinating and informative look at the field of developmental genetics, especially with respect to the cellular processes which underly differentiations at the cellular, organ, system and organism level. With my (decent, but received two decades or more ago!) prior education in the more general field of genetics and cytology it did fit in at a pretty ideal level for me - building on the half-forgotten but previously understood stuff I know/knew.
Most innovative was the repeated use of the process of producing a work of art as an analogy for the mechanisms of cell growth and differentiation. There were several chapters in which the comparisons were very useful - especially for me in terms of explaining early development of the organism akin to an increasing number of artists working on a constantly expanding canvas.
The only reasons for the slightly miserly 4 star rating? At times the use of art seemed pretty unnecessary and came across like a gimmick, as if the author wanted to shoehorn in as many of his favourite Magritte paintings as possible. This, and some chapters where aspects were repeated more than I needed, slightly blunted my enjoyment. However I would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
Most innovative was the repeated use of the process of producing a work of art as an analogy for the mechanisms of cell growth and differentiation. There were several chapters in which the comparisons were very useful - especially for me in terms of explaining early development of the organism akin to an increasing number of artists working on a constantly expanding canvas.
The only reasons for the slightly miserly 4 star rating? At times the use of art seemed pretty unnecessary and came across like a gimmick, as if the author wanted to shoehorn in as many of his favourite Magritte paintings as possible. This, and some chapters where aspects were repeated more than I needed, slightly blunted my enjoyment. However I would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
May 26, 2020
A fundamental story about how evolution works, genes interpret and build upon and the process of development and creativity are not separate entities in the grans scheme of things, but, a highly interactive process. Much confusion is present in the literature and in reporting these are individual entities causing plenty of misinformation.
This is an absolutely enjoyable book by an author who is a lead world scientist who has many an occassion delivered clear and concise explanations to complex biological processes. Much of the analogies involve art/artists and their creations, paintaings and art work.
The book is written in a manner that many can understand it, but, does invlude terms and terminologies which can be looked up to get the implied and correct meaning. It is by no means written for a specialist reader, but for anyone interested in life in general. Examples are rich throughout this book and there is clear linking between them. Highly recommended.
This is an absolutely enjoyable book by an author who is a lead world scientist who has many an occassion delivered clear and concise explanations to complex biological processes. Much of the analogies involve art/artists and their creations, paintaings and art work.
The book is written in a manner that many can understand it, but, does invlude terms and terminologies which can be looked up to get the implied and correct meaning. It is by no means written for a specialist reader, but for anyone interested in life in general. Examples are rich throughout this book and there is clear linking between them. Highly recommended.
September 20, 2011
The book shows how biology is not an exact science. Not everything is in our genes!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews