The Century of the Gene

About this book

Analysis of the achievements of genetics and molecular biology in the twentieth century.
`Evelyn Keller has the disturbing ability to make you think again from scratch about things you thought you had already understood. It is a long time since I have thought so hard about fundamental problems in genetics as I did when reading The Century of the Gene.' Richard Lewontin, Harvard University

Contents

Introduction: The Life of a Powerful Word 1. Motors of Stasis and Change: The Regulation of Genetic Stability 2. The Meaning of Gene Function: What Does a Gene Do? 3. The Concept of a Genetic Program: How to Make an Organism 4. Limits of Genetic Analysis: What Keeps Development on Track? Conclusion: What Are Genes For? Notes References Acknowledgments Index

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Biography

Evelyn Fox Keller is Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at MIT. She is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and numerous honorary degrees.