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How to Code a Human: Exploring the DNA Blueprints That Make Us Who We Are
An award-winning author takes us on a mind-bending journey through the world of DNA, exploring how it encodes our genes and make us unique.
What is a genetic superhero? Is all DNA important? Can genetics affect your love life, mental health, and even ability to grow a tail? How to Code a Human answers these and many other questions as it investigates all aspects of modern genetics, from the evolution of our species to inherited disease, from “junk” DNA to the molecular processes inside our cells. This fascinating guide examines what gene sequencing reveals about who we are, how we’re wired, and how we repair ourselves. Featuring stunning illustrations and infographics, this insightful guide to the code of life takes us on a beautiful visual journey—and is an essential read for anyone captivated by the scope of human discovery.
What is a genetic superhero? Is all DNA important? Can genetics affect your love life, mental health, and even ability to grow a tail? How to Code a Human answers these and many other questions as it investigates all aspects of modern genetics, from the evolution of our species to inherited disease, from “junk” DNA to the molecular processes inside our cells. This fascinating guide examines what gene sequencing reveals about who we are, how we’re wired, and how we repair ourselves. Featuring stunning illustrations and infographics, this insightful guide to the code of life takes us on a beautiful visual journey—and is an essential read for anyone captivated by the scope of human discovery.
- GenresScienceBiologyNonfiction
192 pages, Hardcover
Published April 3, 2018
4 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Kat Arney
8 books44 followersKat Arney is an award-winning science writer, broadcaster and public speaker, and is the founder and Creative Director of science communications and media consultancy First Create The Media. She is the author of 'Rebel Cell: Cancer, evolution and the science of life' (BenBella Books, 2020), 'How to Code a Human' (Andre Deutsch, 2017, republished as 'The Compact Guide: DNA') and the critically acclaimed 'Herding Hemingway's Cats: Understanding how our genes work' (Bloomsbury Sigma, 2016).
Kat holds a bachelor's degree in natural sciences and a PhD in developmental genetics from Cambridge University, and has spent more than 15 years working in science journalism and communication. She was a key part of the science communications team at Cancer Research UK for more than a decade, co-founding the charity's award-winning Science Blog, and acting as a principal national and international media spokesperson.
Her writing has featured in Wired, BBC Online, the Daily Mail, the Times Educational Supplement, The Guardian Online, Nature, Mosaic, the New Scientist and more. Kat presents the popular Genetics Unzipped podcast for The Genetics Society and has fronted several BBC Radio 4 science documentaries, including the recent series 'Ingenious' looking at the stories behind our genes and comedy factual series 'Did the Victorians Ruin the World?' with her sister, comedian Helen Arney. She was a co-host of the Naked Scientists radio show and podcast, and presented the Naked Genetics podcast for many years.
Kat holds a bachelor's degree in natural sciences and a PhD in developmental genetics from Cambridge University, and has spent more than 15 years working in science journalism and communication. She was a key part of the science communications team at Cancer Research UK for more than a decade, co-founding the charity's award-winning Science Blog, and acting as a principal national and international media spokesperson.
Her writing has featured in Wired, BBC Online, the Daily Mail, the Times Educational Supplement, The Guardian Online, Nature, Mosaic, the New Scientist and more. Kat presents the popular Genetics Unzipped podcast for The Genetics Society and has fronted several BBC Radio 4 science documentaries, including the recent series 'Ingenious' looking at the stories behind our genes and comedy factual series 'Did the Victorians Ruin the World?' with her sister, comedian Helen Arney. She was a co-host of the Naked Scientists radio show and podcast, and presented the Naked Genetics podcast for many years.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 6, 2024
Overall the book is informative, though does not go as in depth as I would’ve liked. I found the books obsession with what it referred to as “genetic superheroes” a little off-putting - and while I understand it used this term to refer to rare individuals with rare adaptations to certain selective pressures - the terminology itself strikes me as a little problematic, and potentially just misleading? The adaptations do not make them “superheroes” but instead just shows that there is variation within the population; I don’t think there was any need for the concept to be sensationalised.
February 22, 2020
It content is not about "how to code a human". The title should be more like "how DNA works in human". It is a review of high school biology with color pictures. It contains slightly more side stories than school book. This book might be nice for first time learners.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews