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Mapping Humanity: How Modern Genetics Is Changing Criminal Justice, Personalized Medicine, and Our Identities
"A good companion for those with a science background interested in learning more about human genetics."
— Booklist
Thanks to the popularity of personal genetic testing services, it's now easier than ever to get information about our own unique DNA—but who does this information really benefit? And, as genome editing and gene therapy transform the healthcare landscape, what do we gain—and what might we give up in return?
Inside each of your cells is the nucleus, a small structure that contains all of the genetic information encoded by the DNA inside, your genome. Not long ago, the first human genome was sequenced at a cost of nearly $3 billion; now, this same test can be done for about $1,000. This new accessibility of genome sequence information creates huge potential for advances in how we understand and treat disease, among other things. It also raises significant concerns regarding ethics and personal privacy.
In Mapping How Modern Genetics Is Changing Criminal Justice, Personalized Medicine, and Our Identities , cellular biology expert Joshua Z. Rappoport provides a detailed look at how the explosion in genetic information as a result of cutting-edge technologies is changing our lives and our world.
Inside,
• An in-depth look at how your personal genome creates the unique individual that you are
• How doctors are using DNA sequencing to identify the underlying genetic causes of disease
• Why the field of gene therapy offers amazing potential for medical breakthroughs—and why it's taking so long
• The fantastic potential—and troubling concerns—surrounding genome editing
• The real impact—and validity—of popular personal genetic testing products, such as 23andMe
• Details of how molecular biology and DNA are changing the criminal justice system
• Facts you should know about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Throughout, in compelling, accessible prose, Rappoport explores the societal, ethical, and economic impacts of this new era. Offering a framework for balancing the potential risks and benefits of genetic information technologies and genetic engineering, Mapping Humanity is an indispensable guide to navigating the possibilities and perils of our gene-centric future.
— Booklist
Thanks to the popularity of personal genetic testing services, it's now easier than ever to get information about our own unique DNA—but who does this information really benefit? And, as genome editing and gene therapy transform the healthcare landscape, what do we gain—and what might we give up in return?
Inside each of your cells is the nucleus, a small structure that contains all of the genetic information encoded by the DNA inside, your genome. Not long ago, the first human genome was sequenced at a cost of nearly $3 billion; now, this same test can be done for about $1,000. This new accessibility of genome sequence information creates huge potential for advances in how we understand and treat disease, among other things. It also raises significant concerns regarding ethics and personal privacy.
In Mapping How Modern Genetics Is Changing Criminal Justice, Personalized Medicine, and Our Identities , cellular biology expert Joshua Z. Rappoport provides a detailed look at how the explosion in genetic information as a result of cutting-edge technologies is changing our lives and our world.
Inside,
• An in-depth look at how your personal genome creates the unique individual that you are
• How doctors are using DNA sequencing to identify the underlying genetic causes of disease
• Why the field of gene therapy offers amazing potential for medical breakthroughs—and why it's taking so long
• The fantastic potential—and troubling concerns—surrounding genome editing
• The real impact—and validity—of popular personal genetic testing products, such as 23andMe
• Details of how molecular biology and DNA are changing the criminal justice system
• Facts you should know about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Throughout, in compelling, accessible prose, Rappoport explores the societal, ethical, and economic impacts of this new era. Offering a framework for balancing the potential risks and benefits of genetic information technologies and genetic engineering, Mapping Humanity is an indispensable guide to navigating the possibilities and perils of our gene-centric future.
321 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2020
5 people are currently reading
1568 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Z. Rappoport
8 books8 followersDr. Joshua Z. Rappoport received a bachelor's degree in Biology from Brown University and then went on to earn a Ph.D. from the Program in Mechanisms of Disease and Therapeutics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Graduate School of Biological Sciences of New York University. Following defense of his thesis Dr. Rappoport went on to perform postdoctoral work at The Rockefeller University in New York City in the Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics. Subsequently he was recruited as a tenured faculty member in the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham in England.
In 2014 Dr. Rappoport has returned to the United States where he is currently the Director of the Center for Advanced Microscopy and Nikon Imaging Center at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and a faculty member in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. Dr. Rappoport's scientific perspective aims to develop and apply cutting edge microscopy to address fundamental questions in cell biology.
Dr. Rappoport lives in Chicago with his wife Ema, a neuroscientist, and their dog Kris.
In 2014 Dr. Rappoport has returned to the United States where he is currently the Director of the Center for Advanced Microscopy and Nikon Imaging Center at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and a faculty member in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. Dr. Rappoport's scientific perspective aims to develop and apply cutting edge microscopy to address fundamental questions in cell biology.
Dr. Rappoport lives in Chicago with his wife Ema, a neuroscientist, and their dog Kris.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 12, 2022
I really enjoyed some of the analogies in this book. As someone with biology degrees (not specializing in genetics) this is a nice way to keep up with what’s going on as well as refresh myself on some concepts.
I do see this being difficult for any non-scientist to get into as it’s not written in a pop-sci way, which can make the first section especially difficult to get through.
I do see this being difficult for any non-scientist to get into as it’s not written in a pop-sci way, which can make the first section especially difficult to get through.
November 3, 2021
Pro's : concise, clear, informative, and elucidated on what needed.
Cons : I felt it could have offered more specific figures for how much data a genome takes, or go into the potential for DNA to serve as a storage device for data in itself from hearsay in any case.
4.5 stars. I will re-read this in the future and update my review, but regardless, as a biotech student, much of what we covered in lectures was in this book, and then some!
Great intro to biotechnology for anyone who has an interest! It's a bit dry, but it's also not a comedy so don't complain ;)
Cons : I felt it could have offered more specific figures for how much data a genome takes, or go into the potential for DNA to serve as a storage device for data in itself from hearsay in any case.
4.5 stars. I will re-read this in the future and update my review, but regardless, as a biotech student, much of what we covered in lectures was in this book, and then some!
Great intro to biotechnology for anyone who has an interest! It's a bit dry, but it's also not a comedy so don't complain ;)
November 30, 2020
Excellent book about the history and future of genetics in simple laymen’s terms.
February 6, 2022
Nice book! I learned a lot of interesting things. However, I wish that there are more visual aids and graphs, especially when explaining more technical aspects of genetics.
December 25, 2024
Great read, and very interesting content. Explores from different perspectives and definitely provides a fresh take on our justice system. Amazing work.
March 3, 2021
This book is a perfect introduction for the average layperson, concerning the explanation of genes and the applications of genetics. Unfortunately there is not much white space and only three visual aides. Although the headings lead the brain of the reader down the right pathways, too many words without a break can be boring. A few well placed bullet points, pictures, and charts could be a welcome twist. However the writing is clear, concise, and kept my interest. There is a thorough reference and index section for further study. The author has the ability to take an overwhelming amount of information and present it with authority and skill. One trait of a good writer is the ability to peak the interest of the reader enough to make them want to know more. Conversely, a poorly written piece fails to answer questions making only the most curious pursue further reading. This book not only answered my basic questions, but also left me ready for more. I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews