The DNA Mystique: The Gene as a Cultural Icon

by Dorothy Nelkin, M. Susan Lindee

" The DNA Mystique is a wake-up call to all who would dismiss America's love affair with 'the gene' as a merely eccentric obsession."
-- In These Times

"Nelkin and Lindee are to be warmly congratulated for opening up this intriguing field [of genetics in popular culture] to further study."
-- Nature

The DNA Mystique suggests that the gene in popular culture draws on scientific ideas but is not constrained by the technical definition of the gene as a section of DNA that codes for a protein. In highlighting DNA as it appears in soap operas, comic books, advertising, and other expressions of mass culture, the authors propose that these domains provide critical insights into science itself.

With a new introduction and conclusion, this edition will continue to be an engaging, accessible, and provocative text for the sociology, anthropology, and bioethics classroom, as well as stimulating reading for those generally interested in science and culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Biology, Science, Philosophy, School

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Elijah Wolter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My two biggest criticisms were sometimes I felt like the authors' readings and interpretations of phenomena were kind of naïve regarding racism, and like, how the uses and abuses of "genetics" and "heredity" are going to be, at least in the American context, rooted in that wider context of racism, white supremacy, etc. etc. And I don't think it was actual naivete on the authors' parts, but often just, eliding the racial dimensions to make their arguments re: DNA/the gene because they do a great job in certain places drawing those connections. My other criticism is just that I wish that had hit the philosophical side of things a little harder. Digging deeper into thinking through the actual relations between related concepts would have been helpful scaffolding with which to think through their arguments and examples.

On the whole, though, it's a great read, very informative, very omnivorous in its objects of analysis, unflinching in naming the abuses of genetics in science and society. My favorite tidbit was learning that Tim Allen's Home Improvement was greenlit on the coattails of Robert Bly's best-selling Iron John exegesis book. What was going on back then. This brings me to my final point. This book is most valuable to me in its contributions to my project of Comprehending The Nineties.

[Eoin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting look into the role of the gene in popular culture and the like, and also points out the links between some of the "modern" (the book was written in the 90s) views of DNA and old fashioned eugenics. I found it a little bit repetitive at times near the beginning, however, this didn't happen as much later on. If you're interested in an analysis of how the idea of DNA is molded by society, I would recommend it.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while I was working as a seminar assistant in college. While the genetic parts of the book are probably kind of outdated, it is a great look at the pitfalls of genetic technology.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone interested in how science is discussed by the public would like this book. It is easy to read and really interesting from a scientists perspective.

[Jasmine Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by my thesis adviser. It does a really good job of tying social media to science. I am pro.

[Janelle C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A very strong contribution to the Anthropology of Science.