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A tiny cluster of our 25,000 genes are disproportionately involved in defining who we are: how we fight disease, how our brains are wired and perhaps even how compatible we are with other people. This is the remarkable 60 year story of the discovery of these genes and traces the revolution in our understanding of our health, our relationships and our individuality.
There are around 25,000 human genes. We each have a similar set of these genes but those that vary the most from person to person are: our compatibility genes.
These few genes, argues Daniel M. Davis, influence which diseases we are susceptible and resistant to, whether our tissue and organs can be used in transplantation, what our chances of successful reproduction are, how our brains are wired, and perhaps even how compatible we are with one another.
In exploring the history of these genes’ discovery, and the unfolding of their secrets, Daniel M. Davis seeks an answer to questions of how genetic compatibility affects our relationships, reproduction, medical research and ethics – and, looking to the future, considers the startling possibilities of what our knowledge of these genes might mean for you and me.