The Genetic Inferno Inside the Seven Deadly Sins [Hardcover]

A fascinating account of the quest to understand the biological basis of human behavior.What makes us react or feel the way we do? If you have ever asked yourself this question, then let gifted writer John Medina take you on a tour of the fascinations and frustrations involved in the quest to understand the biological basis of human behavior. Using Dante's The Divine Comedy as an organizing framework, The Genetic Inferno explains each of the Seven Deadly Sins, but in terms of twentieth century genes and brains. Written by a practicing research scientist, this book is for anyone, regardless of knowledge of biology.What makes us react or feel the way we do? If you have ever asked yourself this question, then let gifted writer John Medina take you on a tour of the fascinations and frustrations involved in the quest to understand the biological basis of human behavior. Using Dante's The Divine Comedy as an organizing framework, The Genetic Inferno explains each of the Seven Deadly Sins, but in terms of twentieth century genes and brains. Written by a practicing research scientist, this book is for anyone, regardless of knowledge of biology.What makes us react or feel the way we do? If you have ever asked yourself this question, then let gifted writer John Medina take you on a fascinating tour of the questions involved in the quest to understand the biological basis of human behavior. By describing the gap that exists between a human behavior and a human gene, this captivating book both clarifies and debunks ideas about the genetic roots of behavior, from the genes of divorce to the tendency to eat chocolate. Using Dante's The Divine Comedy as an organizing framework, The Genetic Inferno explains each of the seven deadly sins --lust, gluttony, avarice, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride--in terms of twentieth century genes and brains. Written by a practicing research scientist, this book is not only for biologists, but for literature majors, business people, and parents--indl³Ž