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Your Genes Unzipped : A Guide to How Your Genetic Inheritance Can Shape Your Life
Genes and the traits they produce are passed down because in general they have or had an evolutionary purpose. Sometimes just knowing that a problem you have is inbuilt and part of a genetic package can be helpful in the way you deal with it. This volume is a useful guide for anyone who wants to learn more about how genes affect them and their family's everyday lives. Structured around the human life cycle - starting with babies and ending with death - this title addresses issues such as the determination of personality and physical characteristics, the likelihood of disease, sex and risk-taking. In conjunction with research into family history and awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses, this book can help readers to maximize their environment and avoid problems.
- GenresScienceHealthNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2003
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91 people want to read
About the author
Tim Spector
67 books428 followersTim Spector is Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at Kings College, London and Director of the TwinsUK Registry, which is one of the worlds richest data collections on 11,000 twins. He trained as a physician with a career in research, which since 1992 has demonstrated the genetic basis of a wide range of common diseases, previously thought to be mainly due to ageing and environment. Most recently his group have found over 400 novel genes in over 30 diseases, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, melanoma, baldness, and longevity. He has published over 600 research articles in prestigious journals including Science and Nature. He coordinates many worldwide genetic consortia and is currently at the forefront of research with a highly competitive European Research Council Senior Investigator award to study Epigenetics – a new exciting research area into how genes can be altered. He is the author of several books for the scientific and public communities and presents regularly in the media.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 6, 2009
This book is very pop-sci, interesting but not very deep. Most chapters are prefaced with a little "true life anecdote" in an attempt to explain to readers, if they needed it, how the topic of the chapter influences people's lives. It runs quickly through different stages in people's lives. Recommended for people who know little about genetics.
October 16, 2014
I left this book behind when I went on holiday. I bought it as a sort of reference book to accompany my genealogy hobby. I think it will suit that purpose, since it gives a simple explanation of DNA. It was fun reading the case histories.
September 12, 2022
LI DUAS VEZES
Your Genes Unzipped Tim Spector
Gostei muito deste livro que fala de genética e da influência que esta tem nas doenças, no comportamento e noutras características humanas, mesmo que o autor, o Prof. Tim Spector, tenha vindo mais tarde a rejeitar o determinismo genético que está subjacente ao que escreveu aqui.
No ano da escrita, 2003, não se falava ainda em epigenética (ou seja, a ativação dos genes) e havia a esperança de encontrar os genes para tudo o que era ser humano.
É um livro para o público geral e foi escrito após 12 anos de estudos com gémeos.
Citações:
BEBÉS- Most people, even paediatricians, can't tell the sex of newborns wrapped in blankets. It has been shown statistically that baby girls are actually hairier on average than boys. P.26
O BEBÉ PARECE-SE COM O PAI- Studies of modern births have shown that, soon after delivery, 75 per cent of mothers declare that the baby looks like the father. This may be instinctive behaviour to protect the child in case the husband suspects he may not be the father. P.27
A GRÁVIDA DE UM RAPAZ COME MAIS- Recent studies have shown that mothers of male babies eat 10 per cent more than those of female babies -this is because the male baby signals the mother via testosterone that he needs more energy. P.28
NA EUROPA DO SUL NASCEM MAIS BEBÉS RAPAZES- Studies have shown that more boys are born in southern Europe than the north and fewer in Mexico than Canada. These differences remain unexplained. P.30
SOMOS TODOS PRIMOS - It's obvious we are all related to some degree. It's now believed that most current Europeans are descendents of one of perhaps only seven original families (or clans) of modern man who crossed from Asia into Europe for the first time around fifty thousand years ago. Taking samples from the whole world, it appears we are all derived from around 33 clan families of which a large proportion, 13, are clearly from Africa, our home for most of man's history. Of course, these 33 clans had to be descended from someone. The evidence points to an African female who has been named Mitochondrial Eve, who lived 150,000 years ago ago and whose female descendents kept the line going. p34
INSTINTO MATERNAL - Women, like other mammals, have maternal-instinct genes that make them care for their children. Otherwise, as human babies are so helpless, our species would'nt have survived. Genes control the desire to reproduce and perpetuate the genetic line, protecting the children. Like all genetic traits, they vary, and some mothers are more successful than others. p38
CALOR PARENTAL - The parent-child bond — the so-called 'parental warmth' — depends equally on the genes inherited by the parent as well as the child. This was confirmed by a detailed psychological study of 1,400 parents of twins in the US that showed the importance of genetic factors on both the reactions and perceptions of parents and children. Warmth involve levels of hormones produced by the body. One of these hormones is oxytocin, which is responsible for the feelings of wellbeing and familiarity. The gene influencing response to this hormone (oxytocin receptor gene) may be important in determining different responses and bonding. Different genes and chemicals clashes between individuals may explain why some parents bond better with one child than the other, despite identical environments, upbringing and the best intentions. p39
BEBÉS CATIVAM OS PAIS ATRAVÉS DO CONTACTO VISUAL, DA IMITAÇÃO, DO SORRISO E DAS FEROMONAS - Human babies have evolved and developed ways of making sure their parents look after them. These tactics include very early eye contact — despite poor vision at birth — as well as copying parents' facial signs and early attempts at smiling. Babies also produce subtle chemicals called pheromones, which can subconsciously signal other humans via the air. These are particularly directed at fathers in the first few months, who in experiments detect them more easily than mothers. They are perceived as pleasant and calming influences. p39
JÁ EXISTEM CLONES — To many people, the idea of having a clone is a frightening idea, and many believe cloning should never be allowed to happen. Yet today, secretly walking among us in the world, are around 20 million clones. They're called identical twins and they don't seem to mind. p46
A INFLUÊNCIA DO AMBIENTE VERSUS DA HEREDITARIEDADE NO COMPORTAMENTO DAS CRIANÇAS TEM SIDO SOBREESTIMADA E DIFERENÇAS PSICOLÓGICAS ENTRE MENINOS E MENINAS DEVEM-SE À GENÉTICA— Since the 1960s, psychologists have been telling parents that the way children are brought up determines their behaviour. Females copy their mothers and males their fathers. We were led to believe that, given a neutral environment, boys wouldn't always pick violent weapons and girls wouldn't play with toy babies. In other words, nurture ruled. We now know this is wishful thinking. A few rare unfortunate examples of normal children who changed gender have altered our perceptions. p47
MENINAS E MENINOS AOS 2 ANOS TÊM GOSTOS DIFERENTES – Some psychologists still believe that gender in young kids are mainly due to parental influence. (..) By the age of two, most children have clearly shown some gender-specific preferences, with research showing that girls like to choose relationship-type games and boys prefer action-type games. (...) p48
NO ESPAÇO DE 24 HORAS APÓS NASCIMENTO MENINAS E MENINOS OLHAM MAIS PARA COISAS DIFERENTES - Within 24 hours of birth, boys look at objects more than girls, who prefer faces. p48
MIOPIA, PRESBIOPIA E ASTIGMATISMO são determinados geneticamente
O GENE PARA A LACTASE
Your Genes Unzipped Tim Spector
Gostei muito deste livro que fala de genética e da influência que esta tem nas doenças, no comportamento e noutras características humanas, mesmo que o autor, o Prof. Tim Spector, tenha vindo mais tarde a rejeitar o determinismo genético que está subjacente ao que escreveu aqui.
No ano da escrita, 2003, não se falava ainda em epigenética (ou seja, a ativação dos genes) e havia a esperança de encontrar os genes para tudo o que era ser humano.
É um livro para o público geral e foi escrito após 12 anos de estudos com gémeos.
Citações:
BEBÉS- Most people, even paediatricians, can't tell the sex of newborns wrapped in blankets. It has been shown statistically that baby girls are actually hairier on average than boys. P.26
O BEBÉ PARECE-SE COM O PAI- Studies of modern births have shown that, soon after delivery, 75 per cent of mothers declare that the baby looks like the father. This may be instinctive behaviour to protect the child in case the husband suspects he may not be the father. P.27
A GRÁVIDA DE UM RAPAZ COME MAIS- Recent studies have shown that mothers of male babies eat 10 per cent more than those of female babies -this is because the male baby signals the mother via testosterone that he needs more energy. P.28
NA EUROPA DO SUL NASCEM MAIS BEBÉS RAPAZES- Studies have shown that more boys are born in southern Europe than the north and fewer in Mexico than Canada. These differences remain unexplained. P.30
SOMOS TODOS PRIMOS - It's obvious we are all related to some degree. It's now believed that most current Europeans are descendents of one of perhaps only seven original families (or clans) of modern man who crossed from Asia into Europe for the first time around fifty thousand years ago. Taking samples from the whole world, it appears we are all derived from around 33 clan families of which a large proportion, 13, are clearly from Africa, our home for most of man's history. Of course, these 33 clans had to be descended from someone. The evidence points to an African female who has been named Mitochondrial Eve, who lived 150,000 years ago ago and whose female descendents kept the line going. p34
INSTINTO MATERNAL - Women, like other mammals, have maternal-instinct genes that make them care for their children. Otherwise, as human babies are so helpless, our species would'nt have survived. Genes control the desire to reproduce and perpetuate the genetic line, protecting the children. Like all genetic traits, they vary, and some mothers are more successful than others. p38
CALOR PARENTAL - The parent-child bond — the so-called 'parental warmth' — depends equally on the genes inherited by the parent as well as the child. This was confirmed by a detailed psychological study of 1,400 parents of twins in the US that showed the importance of genetic factors on both the reactions and perceptions of parents and children. Warmth involve levels of hormones produced by the body. One of these hormones is oxytocin, which is responsible for the feelings of wellbeing and familiarity. The gene influencing response to this hormone (oxytocin receptor gene) may be important in determining different responses and bonding. Different genes and chemicals clashes between individuals may explain why some parents bond better with one child than the other, despite identical environments, upbringing and the best intentions. p39
BEBÉS CATIVAM OS PAIS ATRAVÉS DO CONTACTO VISUAL, DA IMITAÇÃO, DO SORRISO E DAS FEROMONAS - Human babies have evolved and developed ways of making sure their parents look after them. These tactics include very early eye contact — despite poor vision at birth — as well as copying parents' facial signs and early attempts at smiling. Babies also produce subtle chemicals called pheromones, which can subconsciously signal other humans via the air. These are particularly directed at fathers in the first few months, who in experiments detect them more easily than mothers. They are perceived as pleasant and calming influences. p39
JÁ EXISTEM CLONES — To many people, the idea of having a clone is a frightening idea, and many believe cloning should never be allowed to happen. Yet today, secretly walking among us in the world, are around 20 million clones. They're called identical twins and they don't seem to mind. p46
A INFLUÊNCIA DO AMBIENTE VERSUS DA HEREDITARIEDADE NO COMPORTAMENTO DAS CRIANÇAS TEM SIDO SOBREESTIMADA E DIFERENÇAS PSICOLÓGICAS ENTRE MENINOS E MENINAS DEVEM-SE À GENÉTICA— Since the 1960s, psychologists have been telling parents that the way children are brought up determines their behaviour. Females copy their mothers and males their fathers. We were led to believe that, given a neutral environment, boys wouldn't always pick violent weapons and girls wouldn't play with toy babies. In other words, nurture ruled. We now know this is wishful thinking. A few rare unfortunate examples of normal children who changed gender have altered our perceptions. p47
MENINAS E MENINOS AOS 2 ANOS TÊM GOSTOS DIFERENTES – Some psychologists still believe that gender in young kids are mainly due to parental influence. (..) By the age of two, most children have clearly shown some gender-specific preferences, with research showing that girls like to choose relationship-type games and boys prefer action-type games. (...) p48
NO ESPAÇO DE 24 HORAS APÓS NASCIMENTO MENINAS E MENINOS OLHAM MAIS PARA COISAS DIFERENTES - Within 24 hours of birth, boys look at objects more than girls, who prefer faces. p48
MIOPIA, PRESBIOPIA E ASTIGMATISMO são determinados geneticamente
O GENE PARA A LACTASE
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews