The Gene Masters: How a New Breed of Scientific Entrepeneurs Raced for the Biggest Prize in Biology

By Ingrid Wickelgren

Book Overview

A fast-paced account of the wildly ambitious scientists who spearheaded a scientific revolution It was one of the greatest races in science. A confluence of ambition, intelligence, and money fueled the complete mapping of the human genome, the ultimate conclusion of a process that began fifty years ago when Watson and Crick broke open the essential structure of DNA. In the 1970s and '80s, most scientists considered sequencing the human genome a foolishly impractical dream. But as time went on, several breakthroughs revealed that this goal-medicine's Holy Grail-was within reach. As the race heated up in the 1990s, science as we know it took on a whole new dimension, with private corporations elbowing out the government and academic labs. Inevitably, a race of another kind ensued, as scientists competed for credit and battled over the release of results into the public domain. High-flying scientists like gene king William Haseltine, cowboy biologist Craig Venter, and the altruistic and collectively minded Human Genome Project chief Francis Collins became media darlings, jockeying for attention, accolades, and potential riches. In this narrative account, Ingrid Wickelgren delves deeply into their motivations, fears, goals, and conflicts to reveal a fascinating story of big science, big dreams, and larger-than-life personalities. In the tradition of the classic The Microbe Hunters, The Gene Masters sheds light on the people behind one of the most contentious and enterprising scientific endeavors of our time.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805071741
• ISBN13: 9780805071740
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Times Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A wonderfully lucid and exciting story

It is rare to find a book that explains hard science so clearly and articulately. I remember reading in the papers about the discovery of the human genome, but never was able to understand the entire importance -- and DRAMA -- of what was going on until I read The Gene Masters. The author masterfully weaves the scientific with the personal: it's exciting stuff that comes at a fast clip! This is a great read.

Learn science, understand scientists

Gene Masters is a rare combination: a page-turner that teaches science and the process of science. I knew something about the human genome project before I read this book, but I was royally entertained by the personalities that contributed to sequencing the genome. Both non-scientists and scientists in other disciplines will painlessly learn the rudiments of genomics. The most interesting aspect of this book is that it shows how the personalities of the scientists influenced the science. Wickelgren shows that there is more than one way to approach a scientific problem; there is not one "right way". She shows that the approach chosen by each scientist is influenced by his or her personality. One person may choose a safe but slow method, another a riskier but potentially faster method. She also illustrates the complexities of scientists as humans. Scientists want to be first and famous, but they also want to do something important, something that will improve the human condition. Sometimes these complex mixtures of motivations work synchronously; sometimes they clash. In this book, science becomes accessible and scientists become human. I highly recommend it.

"Gene Masters" Tells A Fascinating Story

This well-written and fast-paced book does an excellent job of presenting the fascinating story of the Genomics Revolution and some of the scientists who led it. The author captures the drama of the Human Genome competition but also describes and explains the important scientific advances earlier in the 1990s that laid the groundwork for that monumental achievement.

smart, timely book

A great story full of great characters, and the first time I've actually understood the sequencing of the human genome.

eye-opening

"The Gene Masters" wonderfully elucidates a complicated subject and makes an exciting story come to life, even for someone without a great science background.