Reviews for Biology: WITH IGenetics with Free Solutions AND Understanding the Human Genome Project AND P...

The average rating for Biology: WITH IGenetics with Free Solutions AND Understanding the Human Genome Project AND P... based on 2 reviews is 1.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-07-18 00:00:00 Greg Phillips This probably would've been a much more impressive book if I didn't have a background in molecular and cell biology. I'm not saying that science can't be tied to the power of positive thinking, but his conclusions require enormous leaps in order to tie one to the other. Some of the experimental results he points to are incredibly weak and superficial (DNA-methylation rates), and his attempt to involve quantum theory by including it in a later chapter like an afterthought in order (I guess) to make everything seem deeper and more metaphysical was a ridiculously poor choice. Quantum theory isn't something that anyone should attempt to wrap their hypothesis in just because it sounds convincing. Done wrong, it's actually a shortcut to losing credibility. And as for epigenetics, there's nothing 'new' about the science. The processes involved in controlling gene expression are ridiculously complicated. Implying that positive thought can alter cell-membrane structure, and through that alteration affect DNA transcription/translation in a way favorable to cell survival or death (depending on the circumstances) has the potential to lead to truly ignorant and insensitive statements, such as, "Well, that person died because they didn't think positively enough". Again, I'm not saying that there isn't a connection between science and belief. I'm saying that this book fails to make it.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-03-25 00:00:00 Mas Rod I listened to this short audiobook, which contrary to the "unabridged" description, is much much shorter than the book by the same title and author. It starts up with an in-depth look at how perception alters the response of cells. It discusses epigenetics, and how proteins really contain the "secret of life", and not DNA itself. So far, so good. The author then tries to make a parallel between cellular perception and an organism's sense of perception. He describes ways in which perception and beliefs can alter one's biological functions. For example, stress can impair the immune system. And, the placebo effect has a strong impact on the defense against many diseases. This is true enough, but the book does not explain, at least to my satisfaction, how beliefs can have these effects. We learn the "what" but not the "how". Then, when the book brings in teachings of Jesus, I lost all hope for this book.