Written by a molecular biologist at the forefront of genomics research, Darwin in the Genome is an exciting
account of one of the hottest new theories in biology today: evolution by natural selection inevitably leads to
strategic mutations. In the struggle for survival, from pathogens to flowers, birds to orangutans, bakers yeast
to people, the fittest genomes are those that evolve effective molecular strategies that respond to, and in fact
anticipate, challenges and opportunities in their environments.
Writing in a clear, accessible style, Lynn Caporale describes the emergence of genomic mutation strategies, which
researchers are just beginning to uncover. She also spells out some of the more profound implications of these
findings, including the importance of biodiversity, indeed human diversity, for survival, the possibility of bold
new directions for medical research, and the inherent dangers of attempting to fix perceived errors in a human
genome.