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The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine
"His groundbreaking work has changed the very ways we consider our health and examine disease.” —Barack Obama From Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institute of Health, 2007 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and 15-year head of the Human Genome Project, comes one of the most important medical books of the The Language of Life . With accessible, insightful prose, Dr. Collins describes the medical, scientific, and genetic revolution that is currently unlocking the secrets of “personalized medicine,” and offers practical advice on how to utilize these discoveries for you and your family’s current and future health and well-being. In the words of Dr. Jerome Groopman ( How Doctors Think ), The Language of Life “sets out hope without hype, and will enrich the mind and uplift the heart.”
368 pages, Hardcover
First published December 16, 2009
161 people are currently reading
1503 people want to read
About the author
Francis S. Collins
20 books338 followersFrancis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. is the former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). On August 17, 2009 he was sworn in as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Dr. Collins received a B.S. from the University of Virginia, a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Yale University, and an M.D. from the University of North Carolina. Following a fellowship in Human Genetics at Yale, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan, where he remained until moving to NIH in 1993. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Collins received a B.S. from the University of Virginia, a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Yale University, and an M.D. from the University of North Carolina. Following a fellowship in Human Genetics at Yale, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan, where he remained until moving to NIH in 1993. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 26, 2010
(forthcoming review in the World Medical and Health Policy)
Dr. Francis Collins is one of the most distinguished scientists of his generation, not just in America but around the world. His work in genetics stands at the pinnacle of medical science, and his role in the Human Genome Project as administrator and researcher will be long remembered.
One anticipates with great interest reading his thoughts on how DNA will revolutionize medicine.
One would be largely disappointed.
The Language of Life, Collins’ attempt to provide a guide to this revolution for the layman, isn’t a bad book. It’s just not a very exciting or interesting or well-organized one.
Worse, it shows the impact of editing for mass marketing in two lamentable respects. First, and most importantly, the book has been “Oprahfied.” It’s almost painful to read as the distinguished director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) ends each chapter with commonplace advice on exercising more, how to learn more about genetic racial identity on the web, and how to stop smoking. “(q)uitting is hard. But help is available!” gushes Collins.
While almost all of Collins’ advice is correct and would improve our health, much of it is only tangentially related to the deeper questions of genetic medicine.
Second, Collins puts much of the basic science about genetics in a short appendix, as if his readers would not be able to handle it in the text itself.
The largest problem, though, is that Collins is not a particularly gifted writer. In his hands, the complex remains quite complex, and lacks poetry or beauty. In the hands of a great science writer, like James Gleick, impossibly dense topics like quantum physics come alive. Here, even potentially moving stories about individuals wrestling with genetic diseases often fall flat.
The writing is sometimes clunky, and never inspired. “Debates…rage” on page 86, and also on page 87.
The book moves from topic to topic without much connection or narrative. It also shows sign of hasty construction, as on page 85, when the exact procedures used by the major direct-to-consumer DNA analysis companies are outlined for a second time.
With all these defects, it should be noted that the book rewards the persistent reader with a multitude of insights. The majesty and power of DNA in shaping our medical destinies is conveyed, and readers will be struck again and again that one or two changes among 3 billion base pairs of DNA in our genome can result in stunning alterations to our lives.
For medical professionals around the world, this book serves as a useful compendium of the state of genetic medicine, 2010. It covers topics such as pharmacogenomics (the study of how our specific genetic variations make any given medicine more or less effective, or even toxic), genetic therapy, ethical dilemmas in genetics, and genetic testing, and covers them well.
Collins is deeply ambivalent, to say the least, about the intersection of corporate power and genetic research. We see it manifest itself most personally in near total avoidance of Craig Venter, except to describe him in the appendix as a “maverick.” Given that these two men shared the cover of Time Magazine for heading the two projects that successfully mapped the human genome for the first time, this may seem odd, unless one knows of the years of tension between the governmental researcher Collins and the privately funded Venter. In Venter’s book about the race to unlock the genome, Collins was frequently, and perhaps unfairly, depicted as an adversary. Collins may have sought to seem more mature by not using his own book to attack back, but leaving Venter out of the story almost entirely seems petty as well.
And while readers may end up sympathizing with Collins on the merits, or at least share his fears about the commercialization of genetics, they may regret that his side of the argument isn’t presented with more passion, skill, and panache.
Dr. Francis Collins is one of the most distinguished scientists of his generation, not just in America but around the world. His work in genetics stands at the pinnacle of medical science, and his role in the Human Genome Project as administrator and researcher will be long remembered.
One anticipates with great interest reading his thoughts on how DNA will revolutionize medicine.
One would be largely disappointed.
The Language of Life, Collins’ attempt to provide a guide to this revolution for the layman, isn’t a bad book. It’s just not a very exciting or interesting or well-organized one.
Worse, it shows the impact of editing for mass marketing in two lamentable respects. First, and most importantly, the book has been “Oprahfied.” It’s almost painful to read as the distinguished director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) ends each chapter with commonplace advice on exercising more, how to learn more about genetic racial identity on the web, and how to stop smoking. “(q)uitting is hard. But help is available!” gushes Collins.
While almost all of Collins’ advice is correct and would improve our health, much of it is only tangentially related to the deeper questions of genetic medicine.
Second, Collins puts much of the basic science about genetics in a short appendix, as if his readers would not be able to handle it in the text itself.
The largest problem, though, is that Collins is not a particularly gifted writer. In his hands, the complex remains quite complex, and lacks poetry or beauty. In the hands of a great science writer, like James Gleick, impossibly dense topics like quantum physics come alive. Here, even potentially moving stories about individuals wrestling with genetic diseases often fall flat.
The writing is sometimes clunky, and never inspired. “Debates…rage” on page 86, and also on page 87.
The book moves from topic to topic without much connection or narrative. It also shows sign of hasty construction, as on page 85, when the exact procedures used by the major direct-to-consumer DNA analysis companies are outlined for a second time.
With all these defects, it should be noted that the book rewards the persistent reader with a multitude of insights. The majesty and power of DNA in shaping our medical destinies is conveyed, and readers will be struck again and again that one or two changes among 3 billion base pairs of DNA in our genome can result in stunning alterations to our lives.
For medical professionals around the world, this book serves as a useful compendium of the state of genetic medicine, 2010. It covers topics such as pharmacogenomics (the study of how our specific genetic variations make any given medicine more or less effective, or even toxic), genetic therapy, ethical dilemmas in genetics, and genetic testing, and covers them well.
Collins is deeply ambivalent, to say the least, about the intersection of corporate power and genetic research. We see it manifest itself most personally in near total avoidance of Craig Venter, except to describe him in the appendix as a “maverick.” Given that these two men shared the cover of Time Magazine for heading the two projects that successfully mapped the human genome for the first time, this may seem odd, unless one knows of the years of tension between the governmental researcher Collins and the privately funded Venter. In Venter’s book about the race to unlock the genome, Collins was frequently, and perhaps unfairly, depicted as an adversary. Collins may have sought to seem more mature by not using his own book to attack back, but leaving Venter out of the story almost entirely seems petty as well.
And while readers may end up sympathizing with Collins on the merits, or at least share his fears about the commercialization of genetics, they may regret that his side of the argument isn’t presented with more passion, skill, and panache.
September 21, 2019
الكتاب تم نشره لأول مرة في عام 2010، وفَعلتْ حسن عندما قررت العبيكان نشره مترجما في 2015 (بحيث تعاني المكتبة العربية من شح ملحوظ في هذا المجال).
هو كتاب موجه للعامة ،من 341صفحة، ويفضي إلى إرشادهم نحو *تحسين فرص البقاء بصحة جيدة* !، عن طريق التنويه إلى أهمية الأخذ بـ*التاريخ الصحي للعائلة* .
و بالرغم من أن الكتاب يناقش قضايا كبيرة في علم الجينات، والوراثة، والطفرات، وطرق التشخيص إلى الوقاية والعلاج، بل امتد إلى ذكر بعض أسماء الشركات المقدمة للفحص، ولفروقات الخدمة بينهم (وما لك وما عليك كزبون لديهم)، وتحدث عن السرطان وما له وراثيا، والكشف الجيني العِرقي، وما تقوم به بعض الجراثيم من تأثير على الـ DNA، وعن نصيب الدماغ في ذلك (والمورثات الخُلقية، كالإخلاص والذكاء والنزاهة، إلخ)، والشيخوخة...، بالإضافة إلى الرسومات توضيحية و الروابط إلكترونية المساعدة في نهاية كل فصل✨
إلا أن طريقة طرحة جدا فريدة وبسيطة!!، فهو يطرح المشكلة عن طريق سرد قصص لأشخاص تمت معاينتهم بها "باسلوب جدا رائع"، ومن ثم يأتيك بالحل والفائدة..
كلامي التالي موجه لأصحاب التخصص، أمثالي^^:
بكل تأكيد أنصح الجميع هنا التعجيل في قراءة هذا الكتاب، وإن كنتم أهل صنعة ومثلكم يؤخذ منه، لكن الأسلوب البسيط للطرح في هذا الكتاب (والذي جاء من شخص بهذه المكانة العلمية) سيكون معينا لك عندما تريد أن تتحدث عن تخصصك، أو في حالة ما أردت الجواب على سؤال وجه لك من عامة الناس..
ومن هذا المنطلق أشجع إلى قراءة النسخة العربية منه؛ والتي حظيت بعناية ملموسة في ترجمة المصطلحات والبنية البلاغية، وهذا ولا شك مساعد لزيادة مفردات الشخص في تخصصة، حيث أن المعظم كانت لغة دراسته لهذا التخصص بالإنجليزية، والمجتمع العام من حولنا معظمه لا يتحدث الإنجليزية، فما بالكم بمصطلحات التخصص!، في الناحية التي أصبح موضوع الوراثة والمورثات متناولا بتعطش في المجتمع..
*شئنا أم أبينا نحن سفراء هذا العلم لعامة المجتمع📍*
هو كتاب موجه للعامة ،من 341صفحة، ويفضي إلى إرشادهم نحو *تحسين فرص البقاء بصحة جيدة* !، عن طريق التنويه إلى أهمية الأخذ بـ*التاريخ الصحي للعائلة* .
و بالرغم من أن الكتاب يناقش قضايا كبيرة في علم الجينات، والوراثة، والطفرات، وطرق التشخيص إلى الوقاية والعلاج، بل امتد إلى ذكر بعض أسماء الشركات المقدمة للفحص، ولفروقات الخدمة بينهم (وما لك وما عليك كزبون لديهم)، وتحدث عن السرطان وما له وراثيا، والكشف الجيني العِرقي، وما تقوم به بعض الجراثيم من تأثير على الـ DNA، وعن نصيب الدماغ في ذلك (والمورثات الخُلقية، كالإخلاص والذكاء والنزاهة، إلخ)، والشيخوخة...، بالإضافة إلى الرسومات توضيحية و الروابط إلكترونية المساعدة في نهاية كل فصل✨
إلا أن طريقة طرحة جدا فريدة وبسيطة!!، فهو يطرح المشكلة عن طريق سرد قصص لأشخاص تمت معاينتهم بها "باسلوب جدا رائع"، ومن ثم يأتيك بالحل والفائدة..
كلامي التالي موجه لأصحاب التخصص، أمثالي^^:
بكل تأكيد أنصح الجميع هنا التعجيل في قراءة هذا الكتاب، وإن كنتم أهل صنعة ومثلكم يؤخذ منه، لكن الأسلوب البسيط للطرح في هذا الكتاب (والذي جاء من شخص بهذه المكانة العلمية) سيكون معينا لك عندما تريد أن تتحدث عن تخصصك، أو في حالة ما أردت الجواب على سؤال وجه لك من عامة الناس..
ومن هذا المنطلق أشجع إلى قراءة النسخة العربية منه؛ والتي حظيت بعناية ملموسة في ترجمة المصطلحات والبنية البلاغية، وهذا ولا شك مساعد لزيادة مفردات الشخص في تخصصة، حيث أن المعظم كانت لغة دراسته لهذا التخصص بالإنجليزية، والمجتمع العام من حولنا معظمه لا يتحدث الإنجليزية، فما بالكم بمصطلحات التخصص!، في الناحية التي أصبح موضوع الوراثة والمورثات متناولا بتعطش في المجتمع..
*شئنا أم أبينا نحن سفراء هذا العلم لعامة المجتمع📍*
December 20, 2013
Really easy to read and digest book about the recent discoveries in the human genome project and general genetic research but someone who really knows. I learnt a lot and can now understand what a gene is, a base pair, and an insight into how one mis-spell in the genome could lead to a devastating health condition. The book is written for the guy in the street to understand how these terms will become more and more important as consumers get access to genetic maps of their own body. I think everyone will need to be more conversant with DNA and how a deeper knowledge of what it is and how it works and how it can affect their life.
September 28, 2010
This isn't a book I'd usually pick up. Written by the director of the Human Genome Project, it's all about genetics and how recent revolutions in that field will affect the future of personalized medicine. That said, it's very well-written. Dr. Collins writes for a lay audience, presenting enough basic genetics for the reader to understand his points (sometimes accompanied by helpful illustrations) but yet not enough to make the content overwhelming.
Each section touches on some aspect of genetics, highlighted by case studies. Discussions start with conditions where a single "misspelled" letter in the genome causes disease (like cystic fibrosis) or much higher susceptibility to disease (like the BRCA1/2 variant yielding much higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer). But they broaden out to conditions where multiple genes are at work (to greater or lesser extent), how genes might interact with environmental conditions, what role your genes might have in personality traits or aging, and a number of other highly interesting topics. Collins mentions that some companies are already offering to sequence your entire genome for you and analyze the findings, and then discusses whether people would actually want to know their own risk factors. (The answer, like so many things, is: "It depends.") At the end of each chapter is a short list of practical action steps you can take now, with the resources currently available.
Collins ends with a section on the potential future of genetics and personalized medicine. I expect that just about everything he talks about beyond the next 5-10 years is going to prove to be wrong, just because the field is moving so fast. Collins himself admits that advances in the last 2-3 years would have seemed far-fetched as little as seven or eight years ago. I don't expect that pace to slow down any time soon. And I look forward to seeing some of that progress actually trickle down to the level of individualized care for the average person.
Each section touches on some aspect of genetics, highlighted by case studies. Discussions start with conditions where a single "misspelled" letter in the genome causes disease (like cystic fibrosis) or much higher susceptibility to disease (like the BRCA1/2 variant yielding much higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer). But they broaden out to conditions where multiple genes are at work (to greater or lesser extent), how genes might interact with environmental conditions, what role your genes might have in personality traits or aging, and a number of other highly interesting topics. Collins mentions that some companies are already offering to sequence your entire genome for you and analyze the findings, and then discusses whether people would actually want to know their own risk factors. (The answer, like so many things, is: "It depends.") At the end of each chapter is a short list of practical action steps you can take now, with the resources currently available.
Collins ends with a section on the potential future of genetics and personalized medicine. I expect that just about everything he talks about beyond the next 5-10 years is going to prove to be wrong, just because the field is moving so fast. Collins himself admits that advances in the last 2-3 years would have seemed far-fetched as little as seven or eight years ago. I don't expect that pace to slow down any time soon. And I look forward to seeing some of that progress actually trickle down to the level of individualized care for the average person.
March 22, 2016
This book is best for people that have an interest in genetics, but maybe not for those that are already familiar with the subject. The reason I say that is because there is plenty of introductory-level concepts in here, enough to familiarize a wandering eye but a little dull for someone who may have a few college level courses on cellular biology.
The purpose of this book is not necessarily to go in depth and analyze the ins and outs of the relationship between medicine and the genome. Rather, it's to inspire its reader to take their future into their own hands. It's to show that we can be in control of our health more than many assume. I think the author does a good job of providing examples of different diseases related to the genome, what is being done about some of these diseases in the medical field, and how individuals' lives have been spared due to proper precautions.
Personally, I would have really enjoyed to read more of the mechanisms behind some of these illnesses, but I understand that it's not necessarily imperative to the book's purpose or message.
The purpose of this book is not necessarily to go in depth and analyze the ins and outs of the relationship between medicine and the genome. Rather, it's to inspire its reader to take their future into their own hands. It's to show that we can be in control of our health more than many assume. I think the author does a good job of providing examples of different diseases related to the genome, what is being done about some of these diseases in the medical field, and how individuals' lives have been spared due to proper precautions.
Personally, I would have really enjoyed to read more of the mechanisms behind some of these illnesses, but I understand that it's not necessarily imperative to the book's purpose or message.
September 13, 2017
Dr. Francis Collins is well-known for his work in genetics especially on the Human Genome Project.
This book discusses the future of DNA in medicine. The organization is poor and the reader engagement is lacking. The actual science of DNA is glossed over to focus on self-help messages like stop smoking and obesity. The appendix does have a bit more detail about DNA science but at that point the reader is finished with the book.
A few random observations are included in the spoiler:
This book discusses the future of DNA in medicine. The organization is poor and the reader engagement is lacking. The actual science of DNA is glossed over to focus on self-help messages like stop smoking and obesity. The appendix does have a bit more detail about DNA science but at that point the reader is finished with the book.
A few random observations are included in the spoiler:
May 22, 2020
Me leí este libro para hacer un ensayo voluntario en la asignatura de Genética (estudio el grado en Biología). Cuando lo elegí, pensaba que iba a explayarse más en comentar las enfermedades, en desarrollar con más detalles todos los puntos interesantes que menciona, pero para mi decepción, no fue así.
Es un libro divulgativo y, como tal, me esperaba que estuviera escrito para acceder a todo tipo de lectores, independientemente de su formación, que tuvieran curiosidad por estos temas. Sin embargo, hay ciertos conceptos que para mi gusto no están muy bien enfocados ni explicados para cualquier lector, sino para aquellos con cierta base en Genética.
A mí, personalmente, se me hizo tedioso y en muchas partes, aburrido. Al menos me ha servido para sacar un 10 en el ensayo.
Es un libro divulgativo y, como tal, me esperaba que estuviera escrito para acceder a todo tipo de lectores, independientemente de su formación, que tuvieran curiosidad por estos temas. Sin embargo, hay ciertos conceptos que para mi gusto no están muy bien enfocados ni explicados para cualquier lector, sino para aquellos con cierta base en Genética.
A mí, personalmente, se me hizo tedioso y en muchas partes, aburrido. Al menos me ha servido para sacar un 10 en el ensayo.
March 3, 2025
Francis Collins byl vedoucím projektu „Lidský genom“, který vedl k přečtení první úplné dědičné informace člověka. Je lékařem a specialistou v molekulární genetice, a je také skvělým organizátorem vědeckého výzkumu a autorem textů popularizujících vědu. Kniha věnovaná personalizované medicíně přichází do ruky čtenářům ve správnou chvíli. Dnes jsou již přečteny úplné dědičné informace mnoha jedinců a každý týden jsou publikovány informace o nových a nových genech, zapojených do životních procesů včetně těch chorobných. Čtenář se o těchto zásadních objevech dozví. Mnohé jsou nenáročným způsobem vysvětleny a hned jsou k nim připojeny rady, jak už dnes využívat těchto informací k svému prospěchu, k ochraně našeho zdraví. K tomu slouží hesla na konci každé kapitoly včetně odkazů na vhodné internetové adresy. Hlavním poselstvím knihy je: nečekejte, až onemocníte, abyste se dozvěděli proč, ale získejte včas informace o svém genomu a využijte je k prevenci.
May 9, 2019
Interesting work in genetics
March 9, 2015
A very solid book on the latest implications of genetic science on medicine. Coming from a renowned scientist, quality of the information is very high. One finds the typical caveats and qualifiers associated with the cutting edge of science. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a solid, well informed and balanced introduction to the fascinating topic of personalized medicine.
The author tried to keep the science in the book at a rather low level which is an understandable choice. If anyone knows a more in depth treatment of the same or a similar topic, I would appreciate a pointer.
The author also avoided delving too deeply into topics fraught with controversies.
The author tried to keep the science in the book at a rather low level which is an understandable choice. If anyone knows a more in depth treatment of the same or a similar topic, I would appreciate a pointer.
The author also avoided delving too deeply into topics fraught with controversies.
October 3, 2024
With the sequencing of the entire human genome comes the possibility of highly personalized medicine in the near future. Our genome acts like an instruction manual for our body as well as a history book containing ancient stories about our ancestors. Our genes tell us that we’re all “flawed mutants, filled with genetic glitches” inherited from our ancestors. There is no such thing as a perfect human specimen. Heredity plays a role in virtually all conditions; understanding our susceptibility to certain diseases is vital for the proactive care of our health!
April 26, 2021
I was just browsing the New Books section at the library and saw this book, decided it sounded interesting. I wasn't wrong. Collins is the former head of the Human Genome Project, so he's seen the field of genetics explode over the last few decades, providing him with unrivaled insights into the past, present and future of the intersection of genetics and medicine. Given some of his discussions of hemophilia in the book, one could rightfully say he's on the bleeding edge of this technology.
Mundanely enough, Collins says that the single most important source of information about your future health is to be found...in your family health history! "Family health history turns out to be the strongest of all currently measurable risk factors for many common conditions..."
Collins mentions the science fiction film, GATTACA, when he's discussing the potential of newborn genetic screening. Strangely enough, I've never watched that film, and it suddenly dawned on me as I was reading The Language of Life that the title of the film is a genetic code, containing the letters for the four DNA bases, Guanine, Adenine, Cytosine and Thymine. Insert forehead smack here. Interestingly, he says it's estimated that 60 to 70 percent of one's adult body weight is determined by genes, so if a child is born with a predisposition to obesity, parents could adjust the child's diet so as to avoid the all too commonly seen childhood obesity later on.
It's even possible to do a genetic scan earlier than at birth, with a process called PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis). This isn't practical for naturally conceived children, but for parents undergoing IVF (in-vitro fertilization) procedures. At the eight-cell stage of division, it's possible to remove one cell without affection future development of the embryo, and to then perform a genetic scan. Of course, there are ethical questions raised about what we do with this information, but if it was used to inform the parents or the child, itself, of possible future medical issues, rather than as a go/no go decision point to abort the fetus, I don't think most people would have an ethical problem with it, any more than performing an amniocentesis is done today.
There are actually several readily available commercial genetic screening tests at this time, which can scan for some of the most common genetic risk factors. They're a little spendy, but what's it worth to know that you're at a higher risk for a specific disease than the general population and to be able to take preventative steps? Some of the more common diseases for which genetic risk factors are well-identified are heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, sickle cell anemia, and diabetes.
Collins describes the three types of genes that have a role in preventing cancer; any of which can pose a cancer risk when they're defective. There are the oncogenes, which code for proteins that normally promote cell growth. The oncogenes' growth signals are ordinarily tightly regulated, occuring only in the right conditions. A mutation in this type of gene, however, can remove the restraints from the growth signal, causing cell growth to go out of control, like a Toyota on the highway. There are also cancer genes called tumor suppressors, whose function, as you might suspect, is to act as a brake on cell growth when it's time for cells to stop growing. One of these genes, called p53, actually stops the process of cell replication if it determines that the DNA in those cells has been damaged. A third type of cancer gene is one that performs like a DNA spell-checker. If there are defects in the genetic code, it will create repair enzymes to fix the code.
Collins says that most of the mutations in a cancer cell are not hereditary, but are acquired during a person's lifetime. Just the error rate in copying 6 billion base pairs of DNA in the 400 trillion cells within the human body causes most of these mutations, without taking into account any envirommental effects. That most of us go through life without being afflicted with cancer is the result of the work of the cancer-preventing genes.
Knowing how these and other genes do their work has proven key in the treatment of a number of diseases. This knowledge has helped doctors and pharmaceutical companies develop drugs that treat the causes of some diseases at a genetic level, or by stimulating production or suppression of proteins that are lacking or in too much abundance. It has helped avoid some adverse drug reactions - what was the figure he used? - there are 100,000 deaths a year in the U.S. alone from adverse drug reactions!
The areas where genetics is a little less sure are that of personality, spirituality, intelligence, and sexuality. In his section on researching the causes of male infidelity, Collins mentions one fun fact you can use to astonish your friends. Among North American voles, "Prairie voles make lifelong monogamous pair bonds, while their close relatives, the montane and meadow voles, do not, indulging instead in a series of one-night stands." So Tiger does have an excuse; he wasn't under his own vole-ition.
In total, this book is fascinating reading for the layperson. Collins does a great job of explaining a horrendously complex subject in simple words and sentences.
Mundanely enough, Collins says that the single most important source of information about your future health is to be found...in your family health history! "Family health history turns out to be the strongest of all currently measurable risk factors for many common conditions..."
Collins mentions the science fiction film, GATTACA, when he's discussing the potential of newborn genetic screening. Strangely enough, I've never watched that film, and it suddenly dawned on me as I was reading The Language of Life that the title of the film is a genetic code, containing the letters for the four DNA bases, Guanine, Adenine, Cytosine and Thymine. Insert forehead smack here. Interestingly, he says it's estimated that 60 to 70 percent of one's adult body weight is determined by genes, so if a child is born with a predisposition to obesity, parents could adjust the child's diet so as to avoid the all too commonly seen childhood obesity later on.
It's even possible to do a genetic scan earlier than at birth, with a process called PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis). This isn't practical for naturally conceived children, but for parents undergoing IVF (in-vitro fertilization) procedures. At the eight-cell stage of division, it's possible to remove one cell without affection future development of the embryo, and to then perform a genetic scan. Of course, there are ethical questions raised about what we do with this information, but if it was used to inform the parents or the child, itself, of possible future medical issues, rather than as a go/no go decision point to abort the fetus, I don't think most people would have an ethical problem with it, any more than performing an amniocentesis is done today.
There are actually several readily available commercial genetic screening tests at this time, which can scan for some of the most common genetic risk factors. They're a little spendy, but what's it worth to know that you're at a higher risk for a specific disease than the general population and to be able to take preventative steps? Some of the more common diseases for which genetic risk factors are well-identified are heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, sickle cell anemia, and diabetes.
Collins describes the three types of genes that have a role in preventing cancer; any of which can pose a cancer risk when they're defective. There are the oncogenes, which code for proteins that normally promote cell growth. The oncogenes' growth signals are ordinarily tightly regulated, occuring only in the right conditions. A mutation in this type of gene, however, can remove the restraints from the growth signal, causing cell growth to go out of control, like a Toyota on the highway. There are also cancer genes called tumor suppressors, whose function, as you might suspect, is to act as a brake on cell growth when it's time for cells to stop growing. One of these genes, called p53, actually stops the process of cell replication if it determines that the DNA in those cells has been damaged. A third type of cancer gene is one that performs like a DNA spell-checker. If there are defects in the genetic code, it will create repair enzymes to fix the code.
Collins says that most of the mutations in a cancer cell are not hereditary, but are acquired during a person's lifetime. Just the error rate in copying 6 billion base pairs of DNA in the 400 trillion cells within the human body causes most of these mutations, without taking into account any envirommental effects. That most of us go through life without being afflicted with cancer is the result of the work of the cancer-preventing genes.
Knowing how these and other genes do their work has proven key in the treatment of a number of diseases. This knowledge has helped doctors and pharmaceutical companies develop drugs that treat the causes of some diseases at a genetic level, or by stimulating production or suppression of proteins that are lacking or in too much abundance. It has helped avoid some adverse drug reactions - what was the figure he used? - there are 100,000 deaths a year in the U.S. alone from adverse drug reactions!
The areas where genetics is a little less sure are that of personality, spirituality, intelligence, and sexuality. In his section on researching the causes of male infidelity, Collins mentions one fun fact you can use to astonish your friends. Among North American voles, "Prairie voles make lifelong monogamous pair bonds, while their close relatives, the montane and meadow voles, do not, indulging instead in a series of one-night stands." So Tiger does have an excuse; he wasn't under his own vole-ition.
In total, this book is fascinating reading for the layperson. Collins does a great job of explaining a horrendously complex subject in simple words and sentences.
July 31, 2018
The book is dated. This is a snapshot from 2009. It needs an update to be useful and recurring updates to stay that way. Watson’s DNA:The story of the Genetic Revolution is a good example of useful update.
January 29, 2016
To be honest, I didn't read the full book. I read some chapters as an extra reading for one of modules, genetics of common disease.
August 30, 2025
#Binge Reviewing My Previous Reads #Popular Science
Francis Collins’ works straddle the boundary between science and philosophy in ways that are both enlightening and deeply human. The Language of Life is a detailed yet remarkably accessible account of the Human Genome Project, presenting the staggering technical achievements of decoding the human genome while also highlighting the human stories behind them.
Collins brings to life the immense coordination, perseverance, and sheer dedication required to map the blueprint of life, turning what could have been a dry chronicle of laboratory achievements into a narrative infused with curiosity, tension, and wonder. His writing emphasizes that decoding DNA is not merely a triumph of technology; it is a triumph of human collaboration, vision, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Beyond the technicalities, Collins meditates on the broader societal and personal implications of understanding our genetic makeup—from ethical dilemmas surrounding genetic testing and privacy to the philosophical questions about identity and destiny. He presents a vision in which science is inseparable from the ethical responsibilities it entails, framing the genome as both a scientific and a moral frontier.
In The Language of God, Collins takes a step further, bridging the perceived chasm between empirical science and spiritual reflection. Here, he explores the intersection of faith and genetics, arguing convincingly that scientific understanding and spiritual inquiry need not be adversarial. Collins draws on his own experiences as a scientist and a person of faith to show that one can appreciate the intricacies of biology while also contemplating life’s profound mysteries through a spiritual lens.
The book wrestles with questions about purpose, morality, and the awe-inspiring complexity of the universe, asserting that knowledge of the genetic code enhances rather than diminishes wonder. He makes a compelling case that science can inform spirituality, and spirituality can provide a framework to interpret scientific discoveries with humility and ethical awareness.
Collins’ prose is warm, reflective, and often meditative, inviting readers to consider not just what science tells us about life, but also how that knowledge can deepen our understanding of human experience, responsibility, and meaning.
Together, these two works highlight Collins’ rare ability to humanise science without compromising rigour. They reveal a scientist who is as much a philosopher and storyteller as he is a geneticist, capable of translating complex molecular concepts into narratives that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds.
While Zimmer and Yong immerse readers in the grandeur and subtleties of evolution, heredity, and microbial worlds, Collins situates these discoveries within a broader human context, reminding us that scientific achievement carries profound ethical, social, and spiritual significance.
In reading The Language of Life and The Language of God, one is left not just with admiration for the feats of modern genetics, but also with a reflective sense of wonder about how science, philosophy, and faith can coexist and enrich each other.
These works exemplify how popular science, at its best, can illuminate not only the mechanics of life but also its meaning, inviting readers to contemplate both the “how” and the “why” of existence.
Francis Collins’ works straddle the boundary between science and philosophy in ways that are both enlightening and deeply human. The Language of Life is a detailed yet remarkably accessible account of the Human Genome Project, presenting the staggering technical achievements of decoding the human genome while also highlighting the human stories behind them.
Collins brings to life the immense coordination, perseverance, and sheer dedication required to map the blueprint of life, turning what could have been a dry chronicle of laboratory achievements into a narrative infused with curiosity, tension, and wonder. His writing emphasizes that decoding DNA is not merely a triumph of technology; it is a triumph of human collaboration, vision, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Beyond the technicalities, Collins meditates on the broader societal and personal implications of understanding our genetic makeup—from ethical dilemmas surrounding genetic testing and privacy to the philosophical questions about identity and destiny. He presents a vision in which science is inseparable from the ethical responsibilities it entails, framing the genome as both a scientific and a moral frontier.
In The Language of God, Collins takes a step further, bridging the perceived chasm between empirical science and spiritual reflection. Here, he explores the intersection of faith and genetics, arguing convincingly that scientific understanding and spiritual inquiry need not be adversarial. Collins draws on his own experiences as a scientist and a person of faith to show that one can appreciate the intricacies of biology while also contemplating life’s profound mysteries through a spiritual lens.
The book wrestles with questions about purpose, morality, and the awe-inspiring complexity of the universe, asserting that knowledge of the genetic code enhances rather than diminishes wonder. He makes a compelling case that science can inform spirituality, and spirituality can provide a framework to interpret scientific discoveries with humility and ethical awareness.
Collins’ prose is warm, reflective, and often meditative, inviting readers to consider not just what science tells us about life, but also how that knowledge can deepen our understanding of human experience, responsibility, and meaning.
Together, these two works highlight Collins’ rare ability to humanise science without compromising rigour. They reveal a scientist who is as much a philosopher and storyteller as he is a geneticist, capable of translating complex molecular concepts into narratives that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds.
While Zimmer and Yong immerse readers in the grandeur and subtleties of evolution, heredity, and microbial worlds, Collins situates these discoveries within a broader human context, reminding us that scientific achievement carries profound ethical, social, and spiritual significance.
In reading The Language of Life and The Language of God, one is left not just with admiration for the feats of modern genetics, but also with a reflective sense of wonder about how science, philosophy, and faith can coexist and enrich each other.
These works exemplify how popular science, at its best, can illuminate not only the mechanics of life but also its meaning, inviting readers to contemplate both the “how” and the “why” of existence.
September 12, 2024
The author tried to be global and international - and failed badly at it due to lack of basic research. This could’ve been a fine (if not bland and boring) book if it had stuck with what the author knows best: his own history, whatever he saw in his work and the US as his sole country of research. Anything outside that area gets murky and baseless fast.
This book is almost unscientific with how much it focuses on his own personal history (and his family’s) and handful of patients. He states his opinions as facts when there’s not enough basis to back it up. It felt less like an academic or educational book and more like an assortment of newspaper columns. But even those need basic research.
Among many bad parts (if you’re going to discuss race as a white American man, a lot of research is needed instead of just citing a black patient’s story), here’s the most glaring one for me:
“Obama in Brazil would be considered white! See how race fluctuates?”
Yeah, actually, he wouldn’t. While race does fluctuate, he chose a terrible example to back up his opinion (not claim or scientific fact, just his opinion).
He wouldn’t have made this mistake if he either 1) ever chatted with a Brazilian for a couple of minutes or 2) did basic level research on the Brazilian census - like he clearly did (only) for the US census.
As a Brazilian, here’s the real answer to his opinion: actually Obama would not be considered white in Brazil. Nor would he be considered black either.
There’s a term and official census choice (again, basic research for a someone who considers themselves an academic) in Brazil called “pardo” for male or “parda” for female. This is the term for people with mixed black and white ancestry who don’t feel they fit in either group. This is the biggest census choice and this type of category is not unique to Brazil either.
So yes, race is fluid. But clearly the author didn’t actually meet people from the countries he mentions aside his own, nor did he do any research before stating his opinions as scientific facts. This was among many dubious “statements” in the book I’ve seen but this is one I can absolutely tell you is wrong, unscientific and honestly embarrassing for a book that sells itself as throughly researched.
I was very disappointed with this book and do not recommend it for anyone curious about the topic.
This book is almost unscientific with how much it focuses on his own personal history (and his family’s) and handful of patients. He states his opinions as facts when there’s not enough basis to back it up. It felt less like an academic or educational book and more like an assortment of newspaper columns. But even those need basic research.
Among many bad parts (if you’re going to discuss race as a white American man, a lot of research is needed instead of just citing a black patient’s story), here’s the most glaring one for me:
“Obama in Brazil would be considered white! See how race fluctuates?”
Yeah, actually, he wouldn’t. While race does fluctuate, he chose a terrible example to back up his opinion (not claim or scientific fact, just his opinion).
He wouldn’t have made this mistake if he either 1) ever chatted with a Brazilian for a couple of minutes or 2) did basic level research on the Brazilian census - like he clearly did (only) for the US census.
As a Brazilian, here’s the real answer to his opinion: actually Obama would not be considered white in Brazil. Nor would he be considered black either.
There’s a term and official census choice (again, basic research for a someone who considers themselves an academic) in Brazil called “pardo” for male or “parda” for female. This is the term for people with mixed black and white ancestry who don’t feel they fit in either group. This is the biggest census choice and this type of category is not unique to Brazil either.
So yes, race is fluid. But clearly the author didn’t actually meet people from the countries he mentions aside his own, nor did he do any research before stating his opinions as scientific facts. This was among many dubious “statements” in the book I’ve seen but this is one I can absolutely tell you is wrong, unscientific and honestly embarrassing for a book that sells itself as throughly researched.
I was very disappointed with this book and do not recommend it for anyone curious about the topic.
August 13, 2024
Francis Collins is a very intelligent man and this shows in his writing. I learned a lot of information about genetics diseases and medicine.
However, I did not agree with the way he balanced science and the Bible. How can you believe that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and yet neglect to explain science according to His Word? How can you say that the world was formed billions of years ago, that the human race descended from an ancient African civilization (with no mention of Adam and Eve or creation) and give credit to evolution instead of God.
Many times Collins made the fallacy of reification- referring to an abstract belief as a physical being. “Evolution did this” or “evolution made this happen.”
When mentioning human life inside the womb, he referred to the unborn baby as a potential human being. No potential about it, the unborn are human beings from the moment of conception, no matter how small they are, or how many cells currently make up their body.
These things lowered my rating from a four star to a three.
Overall, I am glad I read this book for the information it gave concerning medicine and genetics, even though I did not agree with his personal beliefs .
However, I did not agree with the way he balanced science and the Bible. How can you believe that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and yet neglect to explain science according to His Word? How can you say that the world was formed billions of years ago, that the human race descended from an ancient African civilization (with no mention of Adam and Eve or creation) and give credit to evolution instead of God.
Many times Collins made the fallacy of reification- referring to an abstract belief as a physical being. “Evolution did this” or “evolution made this happen.”
When mentioning human life inside the womb, he referred to the unborn baby as a potential human being. No potential about it, the unborn are human beings from the moment of conception, no matter how small they are, or how many cells currently make up their body.
These things lowered my rating from a four star to a three.
Overall, I am glad I read this book for the information it gave concerning medicine and genetics, even though I did not agree with his personal beliefs .
July 4, 2017
See oli väga põnev raamat. Nüüd on mu google wishlistis hulganisti raamatuid, mille pealkirjas on kas sõna personaalmeditsiin või farmakogeneetika. Minu suureks pettumuseks on Eestis vastavateemalised mind huvitavad raamatud kättesaadavad ainult Tartu ülikooli raamatukogu lugejatele. Ma isegi guugeldasin selle kohta, et kas Eestis farmakogeneetikat ka kuskil õpitakse. Ma väga soovitan seda raamatut lugeda ja ma ise tahaks kangesti teema kohta veel palju rohkem teada. Põnev on just see ka, et autor on ise paljude oluliste avastuste juures olnud...Muidugi ma tahaks teada, mis tal aastal 2017 öelda on (see raamat on orginaalis 2010. aastal avaldatud ja mõnes kohas ütleb, et mingid asjad, mis olid aastal 2003 mõeldamatud, on selleks ajaks teoks saanud, nüüd samasugune vahe 2010. aastaga), aga paraku vaatasin, et Amazonist paistis vastu ainult 2012. aastal kellegagi koos kirjutatud raamat, aga ma väga loodaksin, et tal on kuskil mõni käsikiri valmimas. Mina soovitan küll väga lugeda.
July 31, 2024
Although this book is a bit dated by now, it describes a lot of the early hopes of personalized medicine written by the head of the Human Genome Project. His descriptions of the science are simplified so a general audience can understand fully. He gives multiple examples of how genomic research has helped individuals with rare diseases, including projects he has participated in. His predictions for the future at the end of the book were too optimistic, but some of his ideas are now possibilities due to CRISPR technology, which was not known at the time.
If you are considering getting direct to consumer medical genetic testing, this book is a good primer as to what it means and what an individual should consider before examining that information. Many choose not to know whether they have inherited something in their family that might cause them to have a terrible illness.
If you are considering getting direct to consumer medical genetic testing, this book is a good primer as to what it means and what an individual should consider before examining that information. Many choose not to know whether they have inherited something in their family that might cause them to have a terrible illness.
October 15, 2022
I read /The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine/, by Francis Collins:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/b...
Interesting book.
One tidbit from the book that stuck with me is an extreme example of the potential benefits of genetic testing.
Perhaps the best example of someone who can positively impact their future outcomes as a result of genetic testing is Sergey Brin. Sergey discovered through a 23andme genetic test that he (and his mother) have a genetic mutation that makes it highly probable they will both develop Parkinson's disease later in life. Unlike many, Sergey not only has time, but the resources to positively impact his own health and that of others.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/b...
Interesting book.
One tidbit from the book that stuck with me is an extreme example of the potential benefits of genetic testing.
Perhaps the best example of someone who can positively impact their future outcomes as a result of genetic testing is Sergey Brin. Sergey discovered through a 23andme genetic test that he (and his mother) have a genetic mutation that makes it highly probable they will both develop Parkinson's disease later in life. Unlike many, Sergey not only has time, but the resources to positively impact his own health and that of others.
November 8, 2019
This was a nice review of our growing understanding of genomics and how it can influence our health through both preventative measures and directing personalized treatments of disease. While we're still a long way from personalizing all medical decisions according to an individual's genome, I found the suggestion to record own's family health history to be very useful for starting conversations with family about the genetic basis of some diseases. The tool suggested (found at https://phgkb.cdc.gov/FHH/html/index....) was pretty good, and I'll be using it this holiday season to find out more about my family health history.
November 20, 2022
read this cause I'm taking a pharmacogenomics course.
not sure whether I should be happy or not that this book was kinda boring because almost all of its info is déjà vu for me at this point academically, should've read it like 4-5 years ago, lol.
simple and easy to understand for non-scientifically-oriented people.
(story of why I have this book is in an older review, super cringe, and gives me an existential crisis)
not sure whether I should be happy or not that this book was kinda boring because almost all of its info is déjà vu for me at this point academically, should've read it like 4-5 years ago, lol.
simple and easy to understand for non-scientifically-oriented people.
(story of why I have this book is in an older review, super cringe, and gives me an existential crisis)
May 21, 2017
I felt this was a great book especially for those without a scientific background or those beginning to have an interest in genetics.
As a medical student with a BS in Biochemistry I did find a lot of the book to be fairly basic and I was left wanting more after several of the chapters. With that said, I did learn quite a bit and did enjoy the real world examples that Dr. Collins provided
As a medical student with a BS in Biochemistry I did find a lot of the book to be fairly basic and I was left wanting more after several of the chapters. With that said, I did learn quite a bit and did enjoy the real world examples that Dr. Collins provided
May 14, 2021
Audiobook. One of my top books for 2021 so far. Much respect for Dr. Francis Collins. Enjoyed listening to this book having watched him on the news for much of this past pandemic year. I will buy a copy of this book so I can reread and highlight parts I want to remember. If you’re a science geek, you will enjoy this book.
June 21, 2025
Few people are more qualified to write about this subject than Francis Collins, who led the public effort to sequence the human genome. My only criticism of this book is that it's dated—more than fifteen years old at the time I read it, which is ancient. Still a useful read from a titan in the field.
September 29, 2017
Both smart and opinionated, shed basic light on some of the genetic test advancements and his fear of stem cell morality later in the book. Not a bad read for those looking to learn more general information but should be warned it is just one scientist's opinion.
November 3, 2017
Was personally too low-level for me & was a little uncomfortable with how much personal opinion Collins injected into his writing. Writing style was occasionally too bland as well. Topics were interesting, but unraveling of said topics was not.
January 30, 2018
A breathtaking book, written in an amazing way. A mix of science and life styles, where ethical approaches were never missed. It is a must read for all people so they can master the language of their lives!
August 13, 2021
Dr Collins makes complex information understandable and accessible to the nonprofessional reader. A fascinating look at the history of the Human Genome research, with tantalizing visions of potential uses for the future.
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