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Life Signs: The Biology of Star Trek
A study of biological aspects of "Star Trek". Using theories of genetics, evolution, viruses and parasites, sexuality and ageing, the authors set out to answer questions such as why Vulcans have pointed ears, and whether Captain Kirk could really have copulated with aliens.
189 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 4, 2019
A neurologist and a psychiatrist walk into a bar at a Trekkie convention and debate the biological aspects of life in space, aging, dna, and brain function in the future as portrayed by Star Trek, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. That's kind of what's happening in this book.
Sounds fun, doesn't it? If you're a Star Trek fan, it certainly is an illuminating look at various ways in which biology is portrayed in the franchise. The segments at the end where the Jenkins' consider various ways in which science is portrayed wrongly (ahem...looking at you, Klingons) are really fun.
Definitely some fun trivia here, as well as a mix of biology science stuff explained in both layman's terms and a bit more complicated depth. Sadly, since the book was published a while back, it is by nature missing some of the more recent franchise stuff, which would have been extra interesting to include. Still, much of the book's survey of science is true today (although for example it talks about the beginning of the survey of the human genome which is way more advanced now then when the book was written).
Fans of the show might not be surprised by the conclusion the authors draw from the general gist of science and evolution portrayed in Star Trek:
"we have already experienced a series of cultural revolutions...now we are embarked on three more-- space exploration, the unlocking of the genome, and a communications revolution of unprecedented scale. We learn not just from direct experience but form the accumulated experience of other human beings. When we do not discard the learning of others through carelessness, warfare, or prejudice, we learn even faster. We have the potential to become better athletes and artists, to become wiser, better educatted, more compassionate and tolerant-- in a word, more "human"."
And the vast experience of being human is exactly what Star Trek has always been able to explore in such fascinating ways.
Sounds fun, doesn't it? If you're a Star Trek fan, it certainly is an illuminating look at various ways in which biology is portrayed in the franchise. The segments at the end where the Jenkins' consider various ways in which science is portrayed wrongly (ahem...looking at you, Klingons) are really fun.
Definitely some fun trivia here, as well as a mix of biology science stuff explained in both layman's terms and a bit more complicated depth. Sadly, since the book was published a while back, it is by nature missing some of the more recent franchise stuff, which would have been extra interesting to include. Still, much of the book's survey of science is true today (although for example it talks about the beginning of the survey of the human genome which is way more advanced now then when the book was written).
Fans of the show might not be surprised by the conclusion the authors draw from the general gist of science and evolution portrayed in Star Trek:
"we have already experienced a series of cultural revolutions...now we are embarked on three more-- space exploration, the unlocking of the genome, and a communications revolution of unprecedented scale. We learn not just from direct experience but form the accumulated experience of other human beings. When we do not discard the learning of others through carelessness, warfare, or prejudice, we learn even faster. We have the potential to become better athletes and artists, to become wiser, better educatted, more compassionate and tolerant-- in a word, more "human"."
And the vast experience of being human is exactly what Star Trek has always been able to explore in such fascinating ways.
September 19, 2022
My biggest disappointment with this is that they put a Borg on the cover but then never once discussed the Borg!
Another quibble I have is the authors, despite being Ph.D. biologists, apparently don't know how life expectancy is calculated. People in Ancient Rome didn't frequently die in their twenties; that statistic is the result of having numerous dead babies and toddlers for every one person who reached 65. Barring catastrophes like war and famine, it's never been uncommon for humans to live into old age once they survived the gauntlet early childhood.
In addition to this glaring error, this book displays social attitudes that were outmoded even by 1998. While they acknowledge the true complexity of biological sex in both humans and animals, LGBTQ+ people are very conspicuously absent from the chapter on gender and sexuality. The authors also use the r-slur several times when talking about developmental disabilities, a word which, as a '90s kid, I remember was definitely acknowledged as a pejorative by the close of the decade.
Otherwise, this is a fun, informative read in dire need of an update, especially with all the new Trek content that's come out in the past thirty years. I know the authors are not cyberneticists, but the explosive growth of digital technology demands a chapter on the Borg!
Another quibble I have is the authors, despite being Ph.D. biologists, apparently don't know how life expectancy is calculated. People in Ancient Rome didn't frequently die in their twenties; that statistic is the result of having numerous dead babies and toddlers for every one person who reached 65. Barring catastrophes like war and famine, it's never been uncommon for humans to live into old age once they survived the gauntlet early childhood.
In addition to this glaring error, this book displays social attitudes that were outmoded even by 1998. While they acknowledge the true complexity of biological sex in both humans and animals, LGBTQ+ people are very conspicuously absent from the chapter on gender and sexuality. The authors also use the r-slur several times when talking about developmental disabilities, a word which, as a '90s kid, I remember was definitely acknowledged as a pejorative by the close of the decade.
Otherwise, this is a fun, informative read in dire need of an update, especially with all the new Trek content that's come out in the past thirty years. I know the authors are not cyberneticists, but the explosive growth of digital technology demands a chapter on the Borg!
June 6, 2020
Published in 1998, some information is a little outdated, and there's been so much Star Trek since! I think we're about ready for an updated version. "The Biology of Star Trek" is a captivating exploration of the Trek universe, its successes, and its science fails. Brings back a lot of memories from watching TNG while growing up. While not a big fan of all the quotes they selected, there are some great sections that take you into the universe and asks how you would accomplish something using Trek tech. Enjoyable read that never went over my head with its explanations. Recommended for Trekkies who enjoy exploring the infinite possibilities that Star Trek presents.
February 9, 2021
Voto alto forse condizionato dal mio interesse sul tema, non solo dell'universo trekkie ma soprattutto nel campo della biologia, o meglio della esobiologia (da non confondere con ricerca UFO e simili, ma vera biologia).
Diciamo subito che il libro è datato e che le nozioni di genetica qui presenti sono oramai quasi preistoriche visto che sono dell'era pre-completamento del Progetto Genoma. Mancano quindi sia pratiche di analisi tecnica del genoma oggi alla portata di qualunque laboratorio di ricerca e perfino di diagnostica. Ma questo è inevitabile.
Il libro, scritto da persone del campo tra il genetista Robert Jenkins, esplora la "fattibilità" biologica di alcune delle specie umanoidi (ma non solo) viste nella saga Star Trek fino a DS9. Una analisi non di velleitaria visto che, a differenza di Star Wars, Star Trek si è sempre caratterizzato per un forte approccio tecnico tanto che alcuni strumenti ipotizzati nei lontano triennio di fine anni '60 hanno poi visto la luce di recente (non a caso Stephen Hawking accettò di fare comparsate all'epoca di ST-NG).
Tra i nonsenso accenno all'utilizzo del termine "risequenziamento" per indicare la sintesi di DNA da inserire in sostituzione o aggiunta a quello originario. Non so se la colpa sia del traduttore ma questo termine non ha senso alcuno.
Lettura quindi interessante ... con qualche errore
Diciamo subito che il libro è datato e che le nozioni di genetica qui presenti sono oramai quasi preistoriche visto che sono dell'era pre-completamento del Progetto Genoma. Mancano quindi sia pratiche di analisi tecnica del genoma oggi alla portata di qualunque laboratorio di ricerca e perfino di diagnostica. Ma questo è inevitabile.
Il libro, scritto da persone del campo tra il genetista Robert Jenkins, esplora la "fattibilità" biologica di alcune delle specie umanoidi (ma non solo) viste nella saga Star Trek fino a DS9. Una analisi non di velleitaria visto che, a differenza di Star Wars, Star Trek si è sempre caratterizzato per un forte approccio tecnico tanto che alcuni strumenti ipotizzati nei lontano triennio di fine anni '60 hanno poi visto la luce di recente (non a caso Stephen Hawking accettò di fare comparsate all'epoca di ST-NG).
Tra i nonsenso accenno all'utilizzo del termine "risequenziamento" per indicare la sintesi di DNA da inserire in sostituzione o aggiunta a quello originario. Non so se la colpa sia del traduttore ma questo termine non ha senso alcuno.
Lettura quindi interessante ... con qualche errore
December 4, 2025
The farther in the different series the less interesting.
June 14, 2019
Fun so far. Section on food and drink, especially the implications of replicated food were entertaining and thought provoking.
August 12, 2013
A quick and enjoyable read. Written plainly enough for me (a non-biologist) to understand, but still conveyed the scientific basis of their commentary. Recommended for any Star Trek fan, science afficionado or general nerd :)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews