Summary of The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee | Includes Analysis

The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee describes the history of genetic research, the impact of genetic inheritance on his family, and the potential for future applications of gene science. Mukherjee's father and uncles struggled with disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, both of which are linked to genetic mutations.

After centuries of conjecture about the nature of familial inheritance, naturalist Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution in 1859. In 1865, botanist Gregor Mendel proposed that genetic information is passed down from both the paternal and maternal sides of the family in the form of paired genes. Thereafter, eugenics gradually became socially accepted, and programs to sterilize the disabled and deviant were established in the United States. The practice of eugenics became socially abhorrent following World War II and the revelations of genocidal practices in Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia.

Between 1908 and 1963, scientists continued studying genetic material.

PLEASE NOTE: This is key takeaways and analysis of the book and not the original book.

Inside this Instaread summary of The Gene:

• Overview of the book
• Important people
• Key takeaways
• Analysis of key takeaways