In standard biomedical texts, mechanical processes such as replication and transcription are described with excruciating dryness. Here, metaphors animate the narrative, restoring through art some of the natural beauty of science… To the authors’ credit, they have written an excellent book that, if widely read, will provide much of the technical education and ethical sensitization needed to broaden public debate.

The discussion of genetic science is commendably clear. Suzuki and Knudtson, good writers as they are, do not merely recite the facts but tell stories that put flesh on the bones.

First-rate.

[Suzuki and Knudtson] do an outstanding job of presenting complicated ideas to a nonscientific audience, as well as covering enough detail to satisfy those with a scientific background. [Their] presentation is balanced and controversial arguments are examined from all sides.

[This] book deserves wide attention for its timely warning of problems now on the cultural horizon.