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Books > Medicine > Pre-clinical medicine: basic sciences > Medical genetics
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When a Gene Makes You Smell Like a Fish - ... and Other Tales About the Genes in Your Body (Hardcover)
Loot Price: R1,863
Discovery Miles 18 630
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When a Gene Makes You Smell Like a Fish - ... and Other Tales About the Genes in Your Body (Hardcover)
Expected to ship within 12 - 17 working days
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From the gene that causes people to age prematurely to the "bitter
gene" that may spawn broccoli haters, this book explores a few of
the more exotic locales on the human genome, highlighting some of
the tragic and bizarre ways our bodies go wrong when genes fall
prey to mutation and the curious ways in which genes have evolved
for our survival. Lisa Seachrist Chiu offers here a smorgasbord of
stories about rare and not so rare genetic quirks-the gene that
makes some people smell like a fish, the Black Urine Gene, the
Werewolf Gene, the Calico Cat Gene. We read about the Dracula Gene,
a mutation in zebra fish that causes blood cells to explode on
contact with light, and suites of genes that also influence
behavior and physical characteristics. The Tangier Island Gene,
first discovered after physicians discovered a boy with orange
tonsils (scientists now realize that the child's odd condition
comes from an inability to process cholesterol). And Wilson's
Disease, a gene defect that fails to clear copper from the body,
which can trigger schizophrenia and other neurological symptoms,
and can be fatal if left untreated. On the plus side, we read about
the Myostatin gene, a mutation which allows muscles to become much
larger than usual and enhances strength-indeed, the mutations have
produced beefier cows and at least one stronger human. And there is
also the much-envied Cheeseburger Gene, which allows a lucky few to
eat virtually anything they want and remain razor thin. While
fascinating us with stories of genetic peculiarities, Chiu also
manages to explain much cutting-edge research in modern genetics,
resulting in a book that is both informative and entertaining. It
is a must read for everyone who loves popular science or is curious
about the human body.
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