Cracking the Genome: Inside the Race to Unlock Human DNA

by Kevin Davies

In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick unveiled the double helix structure of DNA. The discovery was a profound moment in the history of science, but solving the structure of the genetic material did not reveal what the human genome sequence actually was, or what it says about who we are. Cracking the code of life would take another half a century. In 2001, two rival teams of scientists shared the acclaim for sequencing the human genome. Kevin Davies, founding editor of Nature Genetics , has relentlessly followed the story as it unfolded week by week since the dawn of the Human Genome Project in 1990. Here, in rich human and scientific detail, is the compelling story of one of the greatest scientific feats ever accomplished: the sequencing of the human genome. In brilliant, accessible prose, Davies captures the drama of this momentous achievement, drawing on his own genetics expertise and on interviews with the key scientists. Davies details the fraught rivalry between the public consortium, chaperoned by Francis Collins, and Celera Genomics, directed by sequencer J. Craig Venter. And in this newly updated edition, Davies sheds light on the secrets of the sequence, highlighting the myriad ways in which genomics will impact human health for the generations to come. Cracking the Genome is the definitive, balanced account of how the code that holds the answer to the origin of life, the evolution of humanity, and the future of medicine was finally broken.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biology, Medicine

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Born and raised in London, Kevin Davies studied at Oxford University and moved to the U.S. in 1987 after earning his PhD in genetics. He endured two years at the bench before seeking refuge in the editorial office of Nature magazine. He was the founding editor of the journal Nature Genetics and has also worked at Cell Press and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He is currently the editor of Bio-IT World magazine, based in Boston.

The $1,000 Genome is Kevin's third book, and second for the Free Press. He published Cracking the Genome, about the race for the Human Genome Project, in 2000. His first book, Breakthrough, co-authored with Michael White, was about the race to identify the "breast cancer gene" in the mid-'90s.

Reviews

[Jonathan Cortez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me encantaron los capítulos "Nuestra historia" y "El octavo día". De ahí fuera, puro reportaje de científicos que se creen dioses. Fatal!

[Tianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a very fascinating read. Although it got off to a slow start, once I got to chapters four, five and six, it was worth the time it took to get through the first three chapters. There are so many little gems of knowledge throughout the book that make it worth reading if you are interested in the race that took place to unlock our genome.

Here are a couple little excerpts that I found interesting:

On page 84 I read the following about a gene called BRCA1 that, if mutated, would increase your chances of developing breast cancer:

"In one dramatic example, the wife of Joseph Schulman, the director of the Genetics and IVF clinic in Fairfax, Virginia, decided to have her BRCA1 genes tested because of a family history of breast cancer. The result was positive: one copy of her BRCA1 gene was missing two letters, putting her at heightened risk of a breast tumor. She chose to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy (full removal of her breasts if you didn't understand the medical lingo), even though she had no signs of cancer.
Other women were not so fortunate. One woman had both her ovaries removed after a commercial genetic test for BRCA1 mutations came back positive. Follow-up studies by a university team revealed that a mistake had been made: she did not have a mutation. The company that initially performed the test, Oncormed, refunded the $350 testing fee 'as a small token of our concern.'"

How would you like to be that women? When I read this, I couldn't help but blurt out "a small token of our concern!" and laugh slightly to myself. Not because I thought it was really all that funny, but because the company was just so nice to refund the test result. Wow.

The next little bit is on page 161 about the dispute over patenting genes:

"One disgruntled citizen voiced her protest about the gene-patenting stampede in rather bizarre circumstances. Donna MacLean, a British waitress and poet, filed patent application GB0000180.0, in which she sought to patent... "Myself." MacLean wrote, "It has taken 30 years of hard labor for me to discover and invent myself, and now I wish to protect my invention from unauthorized exploitation, genetic or otherwise. I am new: I have led a private existence and I have not made the invention of myself public. I am not obvious." MacLean said she was outraged by the "grasping, greedy atmosphere" surrounding human genome research and decided to see if she could be granted protection for her own genes. The case is pending."

Reading this was quite amusing. Patent yourself. Who'd have thought!

[Dominick Lemas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Kevin Davies book I have read (The $1,000 Genome: The Revolution in DNA Sequencing and the New Era of Personalized Medicine) genomics and human disease. Cracking the Human Genome records the "decades in the making journey" to sequence the human genome and focuses on the 1990's as the pivotal time in genomics. Prior to reading this book, I was familiar with many of the contemporary personalities (namely Craig Venter & Francis Collins) involved with the Human Genome Project (HGP); however after reading this book I learn more about the intellectual minds (Walter Gilbert & Renato Dulbecco) that advocated sequencing technologies prior to 1990. I was surprised to find out that Charles DeLisi, head of the Office of Health and Environmental Research at the Department of Energy, was the first government official to really catalyze the Human Genome Project.

This book has the journalistic style that makes the material accessible and active without burying the reader in details that seem flat and boring. Overall I really this enjoyed the book, however as other reviewers have pointed out- Cracking the Human Genome does not provide enough detail to fully understand the techniques and innovation that is represented by the personalities described in the book. Additionally, this book was published in 2001 and many of the speculative aspects of the book have since become obsolete, or these ideas have been expanded upon considerably. Given this limitation, I highly recommend this book to molecular biology hobbyists and people who would like a fresh account of the human genome project.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a co-review of "the 1000 genome" (2010) and "cracking the genome" (2000), two of kevin davies' popular texts. i was reading these concurrently, kind of hopping back and forth, and it was an interesting way to do it. in "cracking the genome," he's tracing the history of the human genome project, culminating in a 2001 initial draft sequence. and the promise to revolutionize medicine. then, "1000 genome" chronicles the rise of DTC testing and falling costs of genetic technology (genotyping and, increasingly, full on sequencing)...and promising to revolutionize medicine.
so, they were incredible similar in some respects - with bordering on hyperbolic statements about The Future. but, i enjoyed the technical aspects and think davies is a commendable science writer.
a notable difference between the 2 is that the 2010 work seemed much more harried and perhaps rushed to print (understandable, given how fast the "news cycle" is running for this topic). but some chapters seemed stitched together, with overlapping content - making it seem like the final editing was a bit disorganized and frantic.
still, enjoyable. i'm starting to "1000 genome" again now - this time, without double timing on my nonfiction selection. :)

[John Carmichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sought a book to give me perspective on the major events occurring in the field of genetics since my college course work many, many years ago. This book fulfilled that expectation very well covering up to the period of around 2001. The characters came alive with many interesting anecdotes included. The technical data was presented in a very understandable manner.

I plan to read more of Mr. Davie's works covering events occurring in the last decade.

[Shweta Ramdas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always interesting to learn about the (relatively recent) history of the field you are currently in. The Human Genome Project set the path for the field of research that is now my bread and butter. In this book, Davies takes us through the various discoveries that led to the proposal of the largest project in genetics: the sequencing of the human genome. He does a good job of showcasing science as a collaborative, competitive field populated with strong personalities. The stories of personal rivalries and ethical quandaries that arose with each discovery were all new to me. Recommended for anyone with a passing interest in genetics.

[Upasana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The race to unlock the human genome. Starting with the US Government deciding to fund the project with James Watson resigning and Francis Collins taking over and Craig Venter starting his own private company to decode the book of life faster. Must read for anyone interested in the Human Genome Project.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gets a little more technical into genetics than I would recommend for a non-science person. It does a good job of outlining the race to decode the human genome and provide insight into the two major competitors. It also brings other interesting facts in that would not necessarily be known or associated with this topic.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for people who like scientific history. A must for people working with human genome.

* For the personal narrative
* For the Quotes all along chapters
* For a personal opinion in all fields
* For a shared devotion to Craig Venter!

-* For some boring chapters about founder effect

[Djiezes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not entirely uninteresting, but I got bored with it halfway and ended up never reading the second half.

[Jennifer Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am still reading this book. Well I left a bookmarker in it which means I will return to it. A very interesting read indeed.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy read, a good story, and a fascinating look at the history of genetics.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It talks about the story behind the sequencing of the human genome and the implications it has on society. There is a lot of technical jargon, but its an interesting book.

[G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Aims to be popular, ends up being too technical.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as riveting as the other treatment, but does provide more context both before and after the "race." Particularly good on future directions and literary quotations.

[Marko]

I have the german edition: Die Sequenz