Defy Your DNA is a book about a new type of medicine. Oligonucleotides (“gene patches”) are tiny snippets of synthetic DNA. With them we can harness a natural process (of alternative splicing) to fool the cell into making a missing protein. Without that protein, a lethal rare disease may occur. 1 in 10 citizens has a rare disease. Previously most of these “rare diseases” have been untreatable – but these gene patches bring hope at last to patients with these diseases. But that is only one of the ways these gene patches can work. And gene patches are only one of several amazing advances that are coming (first was approved in 2013 in the US) and that herald the Golden Age of Medicine!
My Review:
I learned more about DNA from this book than I ever did in school. The author's opinions about the future of DNA really made me think about how important DNA is. When I was growing up I remember the whole cloned sheep ordeal. Future generations will have so much more to talk about. The most dangerous is biological warfare and that is something that scares me. The book also talks about camouflaging genes and so much more. This is a great book for a college student writing a report, or any person that is curious about DNA. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review from the author via Book Review Buzz, however all opinions are my own.
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