Skip to content

Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity (An Editions Odile Jacob Book) Hardcover - 2010

by de Duve, Christian; Patterson, Neil


From the publisher

Increasingly absorbed in recent years by advances in our understanding of the origin of life, evolutionary history, and the advent of humankind, eminent biologist Christian de Duve of late has also pondered deeply the future of life on this planet. He speaks to readers with or without a scientific background, offering new perspectives on the threat posed by humanity s immense biological success and on the resources human beings have for altering their current destructive path.

Focusing on the process of natural selection, de Duve explores the inordinate and now dangerous rise of humankind. His explanation for this self-defeating success lies in the process of natural selection, which favors traits that are immediately useful, regardless of later consequences. Thus, the human genome determines such properties as tribal and group cohesion and collaboration and often fierce and irrational competition with and hostility toward other groups attributes that were once useful but now often ruinously dysfunctional.

Christian de Duve suggests that these traits, imprinted into human nature by natural selection, may have been recognized by the writers of Genesis, thus inspiring the myth of original sin. Is there redemption for genetic original sin? In a brilliant and original conclusion, the author argues that, unique in the living world, humankind is endowed with the ability to deliberately oppose natural selection. Human beings have the capacity to devise measures that, while contrary to local or personal interests, can bring forth a safer world."

Details

  • Title Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity (An Editions Odile Jacob Book)
  • Author de Duve, Christian; Patterson, Neil
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Pages 256
  • Publisher Yale University Press
  • Date 2010-12
  • ISBN 9780300165074

About the author

Christian de Duve is professor emeritus at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and at Rockefeller University, New York. He lives in Belgium.

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity

by de Duve, Christian

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780300165074 / 0300165072
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$10.85
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Yale University Press, 2010. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$10.85
FREE shipping to USA
Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity

by de Duve, Christian

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780300165074 / 0300165072
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$10.85
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Yale University Press, 2010. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$10.85
FREE shipping to USA
Genetics of Original Sin : The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Genetics of Original Sin : The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity

by de Duve, Christian

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780300165074 / 0300165072
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$10.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Yale University Press. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$10.90
FREE shipping to USA
Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity

by De Duve, Christian and Neil Patterson

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780300165074 / 0300165072
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Eugene, Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$11.00
$6.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Yale University Press, 2010. Hardcover with dust jacket. G/VG. Light and infrequent pencil markings throughout. Else good. Foreword by Edward O. Wilson. 223 pages.
Item Price
$11.00
$6.00 shipping to USA
Genetics of Original Sin : The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Genetics of Original Sin : The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity

by de Duve, Christian

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780300165074 / 0300165072
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$14.02
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Yale University Press. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$14.02
FREE shipping to USA
Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity (An Editions...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Genetics of Original Sin: The Impact of Natural Selection on the Future of Humanity (An Editions Odile Jacob Book)

by de Duve, Christian; Patterson, Neil; Wilson, Edward O. [Foreword]

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780300165074 / 0300165072
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$14.53
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Yale University Press, 2010-12-14. Hardcover. Used: Good.
Item Price
$14.53
FREE shipping to USA