My Beautiful Genome: Exposing Our Genetic Future, One Quirk at a Time

by Lone Frank

What if you could predict your future — which political party you will vote for, what kind of person you will marry, which disease will end your life, whether your blue mood will fester into something more troubling, even debilitating. Would you want to know? Taking a uniquely intimate and cheeky approach to the personal genomics revolution, internationally acclaimed science writer Lone Frank swabs up her genetic code to explore who any of us are in the days when a catalogue of your full six billion DNA building blocks is available for $10,000 and the local Walgreens offers genetic screening tests to anyone. She challenges the august Nobel Prize winners and the hyperactive business mavericks who are pushing to map and decipher every fetus’s genome within the next decade. She tests the potential to detect diseases early, as well as our capacity to develop chronic anxieties when our DNA is seen as a death sentence. She ponders whether personality, including her own above-average irritability and non-conformity, can really be reduced to biochemistry. And she prods the psychologists who hope to uncover just how much or how little our environment will matter in the new genetic century — a quest made all the more gripping as Frank considers her family’s and her own struggles with depression. At turns compellingly candid and irreverently insightful, Frank provides the first truly personal account of the new science of consumer-led genomics — and to what extent our genes determine our destiny. Lone Frank is the author of The Neurotourist: Postcards from the Edge of Brain Science (ISBN 9781851687961). She holds a PhD in neurobiology and was previously a research scientist working in the biotechnology industry in the United States. An award-winning science journalist and TV documentary presenter, she has written for such publicationsn as Scientific American, Science, and Nature Biotechnology and is a frequent speaker at venues including Harvard Medical School, the Library of Congress, the Royal Society, and TED. Praise for The Neurotourist: “A fascinating exploration of the most intriguing brain experiments so far.” New Scientist “Riveting.” Rita Carter, author of Mapping the Mind

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biology, Popular Science, Medicine, Evolution, Medical

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Lone Frank is a Danish science journalist, author and PhD in neurobiology. Since 1998 she has written for newspapers. She is also a commentator and lecturer and has worked in radio and television; including organized and participated in science series on television, talking about controversial issues such as heritability of IQ and race and intelligence. She received her master's degree in biology on a thesis about "the transcriptional regulation of glutamate receptors in cerebral ischemia" from Aarhus University in 1992.

In September 2011 her book, My Beautiful Genome: Exposing Our Genetic Future, One Quirk at a Time was released to positive reviews. The book is based on a number of genetic-based tests, which aims to clarify the biological context of human personal development. It was also released in German, Norwegian and Dutch.

(Source)

Reviews

[Hazel McHaffie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lone Frank is not only a highly qualified scientist but she also has the ability to make the complex accessible. She put herself forward as a research subject to unravel her own genetic history and predispositions - a courageous move give the family history of depression, mental illness, cancer, alcoholism. This book gathers together what she found out and sets it against knowledge of genetic inheritance across the world stage. It reads like a novel in places but packs in a huge mount of information. A luminous achievement.

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Beautiful Genome is a first person account of modern, personal genetic testing. The author, a journalist, interviews the leaders in the industry and people like technologist Esther Dyson who have made their genomes public. Along the way Ms. Frank explores what it means to study ourselves in this way. She explores the genetic underpinnings of disease... and of personality. In the end she feels that the result of her explorations were not "a simplified self-image" but that it gave her insights into more facets and nuances of her life. "My genes are *not* my fate, but cards I've been dealt, and some of those cards give me a certain amount of latitude in playing the game of life." "It is information... that can grant me greater freedom to shape my life and my essence." Heady stuff!

At its heart this book is both a science book and a biography. It succeeds on both counts. I have been reading about genetics and especially genetic genealogy for years so I am not well able to tell how accessible the science is to someone learning about it for the first time. But I expect Ms. Frank's clear style and the way she relates it to her own family and life will make it quite readable. I enjoyed it very much. And I will check and see if 23andMe has its usual Thanksgiving sale and perhaps launch myself into the world of personal genetics (I have already had my brother tested for genealogy purposes.)

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book.

Beautiful because of the author's honesty and openness about her interest in and the insight given by the investigation of her own genetic inheritance.

Beautiful because it gives a sense of empowerment where perhaps before there was only fear or self-blame.

"my genome is not a straitjacket but a soft sweater to fill and shape, to snuggle up and stretch out in."

"So who am I?
I am what I do with this beautiful information that has flowed through millions of years through billions of organisms and has, now, finally been entrusted to me."

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gobsmackingly good book. Anyone who is interested in genetics, ethics, psychology, science and social policy should check this book out. I finished the book with more questions than I started with, and I would love to find others who have read this book to discuss all the cans of worms this exciting new field has opened. Lone does a great job of demystifying some of the workings and methodology of gene science and has given me a thirst for more knowledge on the subject, which is the hallmark of a good science writer, in my book. I thoroughly recommend this book.

[Lukie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the dry and, to me, uninteresting beginning chapter about tracing one's genetic ancestry, the book got a lot more interesting and I went from dreading reading it to being, at times, quite riveted. (I had chosen it for a book discussion so I was obligated to read it, and read it well.) Genetic research is making new discoveries every day. The field is percolating and many many questions and possibilities (social, ethical, medical, etc) are presented that are juicy ones for discussion. Frank's narration is subtly humorous on occasion as she sits down to interview famous geneticists or tries to reconcile her personal genome, but the real heft of the book is in the studies and stunning revelations about genetics itself.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very personal but nonetheless interesting exploration of someone, well, exploring their own genome, with helpful explanations about the way these things work and why. I winced over references to AMD -- my mother has apparently non-age related macular degeneration, as did both her parents, so things aren't looking good for me. Would I want to find out for sure? I'm not sure. And my cancer risks... With three of my four grandparents dying of cancer which metastasised to their lungs and brains before it was found, that is actually quite frankly terrifying.

Interesting to ponder the future of genetic testing, too. Hmm.

[Audrey Maran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought Lone Frank presented the information and data in ways that made it interesting to read and easy to understand. I was glad to see that she was honest about where genetic technology is at and presented all sides of ethical issues. What really made this book difficult to read was that the author would often go on tangents that consisted of mostly complaining. In some places, her family background was relevant, in others, it was distracting and took away from my ability to enjoy reading the book.

[Danielle T · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's weird because I started this in November, stopped a third of the way through (because it was a 2 week 'new' book at the library), then resumed months later so not sure how valid my comments can be?

Dr. Frank writes a very accessible book exploring the potential and pitfalls of personal genomics, going through a number of available tests and screens while weaving her own personal narrative about family history and depression. She references contemporary research, especially the newer epigenetics stuff.

[Katya de Becerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great intro into the complicated jungle of personal genetics market.

Based on Lone Frank's own experiential research into her DNA, My Beautiful Genome follows a series of tests Lone undergoes to answer the ages-old question of heritability vs. environment (or nature vs nurture, if you prefer), focusing specifically on genetic illnesses.

I found the book refreshing and, in general, satisfying, though the narrative got bogged down at times with many-a-verbatim interviews with dozens of experts/players in the field of personal genetics research, the overall argument being made in favor of commercialized personal genetics testing.

My favorite quote (it made me laugh out loud during my train ride to work one day, so the author gets an extra point for that):

… reading was accompanied by rewards every time a whole sentence of Dick and Jane was read aloud, I got a nice, plump raisin; when an entire page was complete, I’d get a piece of candy. And praise, of course. Since then, like the proverbial Pavlovian dog, I have associated reading with the ingestion of sugary substances. I practically salivate at the sight of a book.

Also, Lone's description of the "blindfold chess" games she'd play with her father was a delight and reminded me of my own childhood.

[Margrethe Rhiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lettilgængelig, såre nuanceret og vedkommende introduktion til genetikken overdrev(ent interessante muligheder. Tak til Lone Frank for at invitere os med ind i mange af de sammenhænge, hvor videnskaben rykker, provokerer, afdækker dilemmaer og henrykker. Der er meget at tage stilling til, og det er ikke lette sager. Men ved læsning af denne bog kan man få fornemmelsen af -ved at stå på tæer(!) -lige akkurat at kunne få et glimt af noget alt det spændende, som foregår i diverse laboratorier indenfor feltet.

[Victor Valore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bogen har nogle år på bagen, men virker godt i forhold til det punkt i tid hvor den er skrevet. Lone Frank er god til at formidle med en kombination af selvindsigt/-ironi og faglig nysgerrighed. Historien er struktureret efter Franks søgen efter at forstå eget genom, hvorfor hun lader sig teste både kommecielt og forskningsmæssigt. Hun deler såvel teori og forskning som personlige følelser og holdninger. Bogen kan virke en smule lang og jeg tog den over nogle omgange, men jeg fandt alt materialet relevant. Kunne være sjovt at vide hvad hendes tanker om projektet er nu, nogle år efter.

[Samantha Witkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to reread this book because I recently did my own genetic testing through 23andme. It was really cool to be able to read through Frank's process of discovering her genome while learning about my own. I love her blend personal experience and scientific understanding because it really captures the essence of what the genome is. She also does a great job with making the information really understandable and puts into perspective how the future of humanity and science rests on genetics.

This book is a great way to learn more about genetic and genome screening both in research and consumer markets. It provides a lot of great insight into the field as well as a great narrative explaining what kind of information you can learn from undergoing a genetic test. I think it's really interesting to uncover a deeper sense of self.

[✨Ash✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a science book, it reads like a blend of fiction and biography. Frank has made an excellent job of simplifying a lot of the genetics in this book in a way that anyone can digest.

I really wish I had read this sooner, as unfortunately some of the content in this book is a bit outdated now. I guess that's the world of genetics!

[Billy Stoskopf · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s difficult for a popular science book to appeal to both the layman and someone with scientific background, but Frank does a great job at this, and somehow manages to be relatable, funny, relevant, and down-to-earth all at the same time. My only issue is that this book is nearly 15 years old now, and I want to know how many of her predictions for the genetics industry have come true.

[Niko · Rating 4 out of 5]

En interessant bog, der er både velskrevet og utrolig spændende. Den forklarer genetik på en måde, der er let tilgængelig for lægmænd og samtidig ikke kedelig. Jeg er ikke altid enig med konklusionerne, som forfatteren når frem til, men jeg kunne godt lide de mange interviews med de diverse personligheder indenfor genetikområdet.

[Mohammed alkindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

a refreshing dosage of biology and genes and what to expect in near future and how it may effect our living but not sure if i will dive into sequencing my genome, it is enough what i have in my mind already to add more burden to myself

[Kandachamy Vijayakumaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful and comprehensive account of the developments in the era of genomics. Starting from the structure of DNA through gene expressions, mutations, markers, epigenetics etc., this book is a single window into the world of human genomics. A must read for all interested in genetics.

[Tallulah Bankhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intressant ämne och mycket personligt skriven. En god belysning av den moderna gentekniken, dess möjligheter och begränsningar.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only got about halfway through and that was because I had to, it was a book club book but I just found this was for me.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist Lone Frank takes a personal journey into the human genome but chronicling her forays with numerous genetic tests to discern her health risks, genealogy, personality, and romantic compatibility. Along the way, she interviews the scientists and entrepreneurs behind the research. She asks a lot of questions about what genetic tests truly tell us and matches her results with her own self-knowledge. Her conclusion that, while interesting and somewhat useful, genetic testing only gives us probabilities of future outcomes, seemed obvious to me. However, that may possibly reflect more my own worldview than her own conclusion as the other members of the science book group I attended seemed to feel no conclusion was offered at all. Or, perhaps, they were simply less comfortable with and, therefore, less accepting of the conclusion of uncertain outcomes. But, to me, this memoir/science book presented genetics, and especially neogenetics, in a way that sounded rather like new physics -- holistic and rather exciting in its open-endedness. Or, to put it another way, genetic science seems rather like the way I view tarot cards or other forms of divination, as an interesting way of envisioning a road map of current conditions that might be helpful in identifying possible future paths but not any kind of foregone conclusion. At any rate, the science certainly seems to be far more complex and less certain than the popular press likes to make out.

[Malte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lone Frank har skrevet en rigtig god bog om hendes genom og det er både bogens stærke og svage side. Det er nemlig svært at skrive en bog om både videnskab, teknologi og etik der samtidig bliver vedkommende og interessant. Dette løser Lone ved at skrive en meget personlig bog og hendes jagt på hendes eget genom og forståelsen af det hun finder ud af om sit genom. Det virker for det meste, men bliver desværre ind i mellem lidt for meget og så går bogen fra at være personlig til at være privat og der bryder jeg mig ikke om at komme med (måske hvis jeg kendte Lone privat, men det gør jeg desværre ikke og så virker det altså bare ind i mellem for tæt på eller for åbent).



Jeg vil dog klart anbefale denne bog til enhver der gerne vil opdateres på hvor langt man egentligt er kommet med forståelsen af generne og deres indflydelse på os på godt og ondt. Især det at bogen også peger på de mange etiske problemstillinger der rejser sig på baggrund af de mange teknologiske fremskridt på feltet gør at det er en bog alle bør læse.



Til slut en lille advarsel. Jeg var så heldig at få bogen foræret, men den endte med at koste mig 399 dollars - prisen for at jeg kunne få kortlagt mit helt eget personlige genom hos et laboratorium i Californien.

[Peter Blom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zeer persoonlijk boek van een journalist die stand van zaken van de genetica onderzoekt. Dit doet ze door interviews met deskundigen en door het laten onderzoeken van haar eigen genome door verschillende (veelal commerciele) bedrijven. Door deze vorm is het een spannend boek geworden.

De punten die zoal voorbij komen zijn:

# bepaald ons genome wie wij zijn ? Bv.: onderzoek toont aan dat bepaalde genetische aanleg afhangt van of het via vader of moeder is verkregen. Maw. onze genetische blauwdruk is niet eenvoudig te interpreteren.

# willen we ons genome precies kennen ? Bv.: wat als je weet dat je kind vatbaar is voor depressies. Ga je het dan anders opvoeden ?

# nature / nurture. Genen (nature) zijn in staat zijn om de omgeving (nurture) zwaar te beïnvloeden, maar opvoeding en omgeving kunnen ook flink sturen.

# opkomst van epigenetica (niet de genen zijn leidend, maar de processen die de genen in meer of mindere mate activeren). Epigenetica zal hierdoor steeds belangrijker worden voor medicijnonderzoek.

En nog veel meer... Dus een zeer interessant en zeer leesbaar geschreven boek.
Aanrader !!!

[Jenny Esots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently read the book My Beautiful Genome about all things genetic I was fascinated by the article ‘From dark to light’. (March 7th)
it seems we are at the tip of the iceberg with what is possible.
Currently pandoras box is limited by the need for evidence based research, which is expensive.
Also the concern that a predisposition to a disease doesn’t mean it is a fait accompli.
What future adventures await in that thing called DNA?

My letter which was edited by SA Weekend.

Loved this exploration of genetics via the personal stories of the author Lone Frank.
The author examines her own quest for answers via her own DNA.
As the author is well versed in genetics it is an illuminating read.

On the road to find out about DNA with Lone frank is more interesting and rewarding than a more straightforward clinical account would be.
As always though, more questions than answers.

[Richelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting stuff. I especially liked the part where the author was thinking through all the possible future implications of DNA testing and coding. For example, she wondered if soon celebrities may not only have to worry about Paparazzi snapping photos everywhere they go, but also whether someplace they've been and left behind any of their DNA, if it will end up in the tabloids what genetic mutations or disease tendencies, etc. are part of their DNA. It talked about DNA privacy and possible kinds of lawsuits that could arise. A little science mixed with a little speculative musing never hurt anyone.

[Anetq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meget fin gennemgang af genetikkens genrer og muligheder - det fungerer rigtig fint at følge hendes personlige rejse ind i sit genom. Vi får en rundtur i genetikkens virkelighed og interviews med et meget stort antal forskere. Så i I virkeligheden er det jo en debatbog, der haler læseren ud på den anden side af den almindelige debats opfattelse af genetikken som determinisme - og mener at forbrugergenetik vil være det, der for alvor flytter den genetiske debat, der ellers sidder fast i etisk råd og politikernes strudsetaktik og forbud... Absolut værd at læse og letlæselig trods det til tider ikke så lette stof.

[Austin Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lone Frank explores the burgeoning industry of personal genomics by subjecting herself to all of the genetic testing that she can. She writes in the first person and adeptly mixes the science behind the testing with her own feelings upon receiving results and a considerable amount of autobiography. The mix makes for an enjoyable read and a viewpoint on genetic testing that is pretty closely aligned with my own.

[Chika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books on this subject, and I find this one the best so far. It covers various aspects of genetics, is very informative and objective, but you can still read it like a personal story rather than a scientific report. The author is open and honest, and that makes this book plausible.

Reading this book made me very curious how the genetic researches would develop in the next decades.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! If you want to know anything about where genetic testing is at the present, or where it is heading in the future, you must read this book. The author herself gets all the genetic tests she talks about, and then talks to the heads of the companies who provide them, in order to get all the information about them.
It is funny, exciting, and very interesting!

[Ainil Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically Ms Frank discussed about how our genes affect our behavior. The relations between genetics, epigenetics and our brains. But lack of one important thing - religion. I don't know about you Ms Frank, but my religion (Islam) taught us how we can control the outcome even though the 'bad' genes were imprinted in our genome.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exploration of the rapidly developing field of personal genomics and related areas such as epigenetics and personality research. It's a very engaging read as the author presents quirky and critical portraits of the researchers she interviews and herself, while filling in all the scientific background as a clear and dispassionate narrator.