![Homo Evolutis (Kindle Single) (TED Books) by [Enriquez, Juan, Gullans, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51bAFeU1OIL._SY346_.jpg)
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It's hard to believe that a book with a photo of an old, bearded Englishman on the cover could be called 'riveting,' but that is exactly what Homo Evolutis is. Authors Juan Enriquez and Steve Gullans are scientists who take readers on a whirlwind survey of the latest discoveries in human genetics and evolutionary biology -- and it's a tour that takes your breath away.
In short, the authors present highly compelling evidence for the argument that we humans -- homo sapiens -- (along with all the rest of the creatures in this world) are evolving...right now, in real time. The complacent view that humans are the end result of the evolutionary process is looking less and less plausible.
And it turns out that evolution does not necessarily take place over extremely long stretches of time. Rather, there is a kind of gene transfer that moves horizontally; this in addition to the more traditional understanding of genes as being passed along vertically, from one generation to the next. In horizontal gene transfer, specific genetic material is passed between organisms in a way that bypasses the reproductive process and takes place more directly. Most often this occurs between a virus or bacterium and a host animal, such as a human. Often there are other creatures in between the microbe and the human, such as a bird or a monkey or a pig. (Think bird and swine flu or a viral infection.)
All of this is presented in a clear, straightforward way that is easily understood, while at the same time being quite fantastic. I cannot recommend this little e-book highly enough, especially to readers who like science and are the kind of people who ask, "why?" I very much hope that the authors expand this small volume into a full-blown book on this most absorbing topic.
- File Size: 1056 KB
- Print Length: 58 pages
- Publisher: TED Books (January 26, 2011)
- Publication Date: January 26, 2011
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
- Language: English
- ASIN: B004KSREFC
- Text-to-Speech:
Enabled
- Word Wise: Enabled
- Lending: Not Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,371 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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