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Life as We Made It
How 50,000 years of human innovation refined – and redefined – nature
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Life as We Made It
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for readers interested in science, natural history, and biotechnology. Suitable for general audiences curious about humanity’s impact on evolution and the ethical dimensions of genetic technology. Fans of accessible, engaging science writing will find this appealing.
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A leading biologist looks at how humans have meddled with evolution throughout history – and what we will do next
A leading biologist looks at how humans have meddled with evolution throughout history – and what we will do next
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
From the very first dog to glowing fish and designer pigs – the human history of remaking nature.
Virus-free mosquitoes, resurrected dinosaurs, designer humans – such is the power of the science of tomorrow. But this idea that we have only recently begun to manipulate the natural world is false. We’ve been meddling with nature since the last ice age. It’s just that we’re getting better at it – a lot better.
Drawing on decades of research, Beth Shapiro reveals the surprisingly long history of human intervention in evolution through hunting, domesticating, polluting, hybridising, conserving, and genetically modifying life on Earth. Looking ahead to the future, she casts aside the scaremongering myths on the dangers of interference, and outlines the true risks and incredible opportunities that new biotechnologies will offer us in the years ahead. Not only do they present us with the chance to improve our own lives, but they increase the likelihood that we will continue to live in a rich and biologically diverse world.
Life as We Made It is a fascinating exploration of how humans have influenced nature and what this means for our future.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Praised as accessible and enlightening by The Times, and noted for its detailed exploration and engaging storytelling by New Scientist and Publishers Weekly, this book combines science, natural history, and personal insight. Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna recommends it for anyone seeking to understand the future of life on Earth. Reviews highlight it as entertaining, insightful, and a must-read for fans of popular science.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780861544370
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 October 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Oneworld Publications
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 352
About the Author
Beth Shapiro is Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz. She has appeared on the BBC, National Geographic and Discovery, and written for the Financial Times and Observer. She is the author of the award-winning How to Clone a Mammoth.
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