The Wandering Skeptic
Thursday, May 15, 2003
My review for John Sulston's The Common Thread on amazon.com:
Books like this let you feel, if for only a moment, that you are walking among giants. John Sulston's memoirs of the battle for the human genome is deeply written and brutally honest, immersing the reader in a side of science rarely seen by the public. Presented as an archetypal clash between good and evil, the contest of wills pits John and the open scientific community against Craig Venter and the forces of corporate interest. It is a defence of the purity of science from the corruption of greed.
Before this, though, comes an introductory glimpse into the formative years when molecular biology and genetics slowly converged. As richly detailed as this early history of both John's life and the field of genetics is, however, much of this narrative seems detatched. Large sections are told factually, and the story misses much of the emotional investments found later in the book. Still, it is a serviceable introduction to one of the most important events of the twentieth century.
And so the story of the genome picks up in earnest in the second half of the book, when John's struggles with both politics and himself infuse an essential aura of human depth. It's as well-put together as any thriller; even prior knowledge of the outcome of the race doesn't diminish the suspense and sheer anticipation of each event. The scope and depth of the human genome project is laid out in broad strokes, with many major players acting out their roles to keep science free and open. There are plot twists and double crosses, triumphs and setbacks. But the surest sign that the common good won out is that the information of our very heritage is freely strung across the internet.
Despite the book's flaws -- the prose is rarely eloquent -- the story is essential reading for anyone even remotely interested in the inner workings of science and politics. Certainly, there is a danger in only seeing one side of the story. However, John's excitement and noble intentions are undeniable: the world can benefit more from unbridled selflessness than from runaway capitalism. ¶ 10:25 PM
Books like this let you feel, if for only a moment, that you are walking among giants. John Sulston's memoirs of the battle for the human genome is deeply written and brutally honest, immersing the reader in a side of science rarely seen by the public. Presented as an archetypal clash between good and evil, the contest of wills pits John and the open scientific community against Craig Venter and the forces of corporate interest. It is a defence of the purity of science from the corruption of greed.
Before this, though, comes an introductory glimpse into the formative years when molecular biology and genetics slowly converged. As richly detailed as this early history of both John's life and the field of genetics is, however, much of this narrative seems detatched. Large sections are told factually, and the story misses much of the emotional investments found later in the book. Still, it is a serviceable introduction to one of the most important events of the twentieth century.
And so the story of the genome picks up in earnest in the second half of the book, when John's struggles with both politics and himself infuse an essential aura of human depth. It's as well-put together as any thriller; even prior knowledge of the outcome of the race doesn't diminish the suspense and sheer anticipation of each event. The scope and depth of the human genome project is laid out in broad strokes, with many major players acting out their roles to keep science free and open. There are plot twists and double crosses, triumphs and setbacks. But the surest sign that the common good won out is that the information of our very heritage is freely strung across the internet.
Despite the book's flaws -- the prose is rarely eloquent -- the story is essential reading for anyone even remotely interested in the inner workings of science and politics. Certainly, there is a danger in only seeing one side of the story. However, John's excitement and noble intentions are undeniable: the world can benefit more from unbridled selflessness than from runaway capitalism. ¶ 10:25 PM
