Beyond Inheritance
Our Ever-Mutating Cells and a New Understanding of Health
-
- Pre-Order
-
- Expected Apr 21, 2026
-
- $15.99
Publisher Description
A captivating exploration of the remarkable ways our DNA mutates over the course of our lives, with radical implications for the future of medicine
Our DNA is the indispensable set of instructions that guides our growth and vitality. The common misconception is that this molecular blueprint stays the same throughout our lives. In reality, the genetic makeup of our cells is continuously mutating, from the moment we are conceived until our last breath. The hidden changes that amass in our genomes can have a huge influence on our health.
In this groundbreaking book, science writer Roxanne Khamsi describes our bodies as active landscapes of mutation. She reveals how the forces of Darwinian evolution operate within our own tissues. The effects can be devastating, such as when mutant blood cells outcompete their normal counterparts and increase the risk of heart attacks. But mutations can also make our bodies more resilient: Liver cells with genetic changes seem to cope better with excess calories. And immune cells with remixed DNA can make more effective antibodies against the microbes that threaten us.
By letting go of the antiquated idea that every cell in a body has the same exact DNA, we can usher in a whole new era of medicine, including better vaccines and treatments that outsmart cancer. Beyond Inheritance will open your eyes to the immense genetic diversity that exists within you and its incredible potential to shape your well-being.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Science journalist Khamsi demonstrates in this accessible debut examination that one's DNA is not a static set of instructions but a continuously mutating blueprint. Understanding the genetic variation that emerges within the body over time, she argues, is essential for improving health outcomes. The adult human body is made up of approximately 30 trillion to 40 trillion cells that are constantly dying and being replaced by new ones, Khamsi explains. Mutations occur as DNA replicates when cells divide, with some estimates showing trillions of new mutations per day. While many mutations are benign, others can cause serious complications, including cancer, cognitive problems, and immune disorders. As Khamis shows, understanding these mutations can lead to innovative treatments for diseases, like adaptive therapy, a precise drug-dosing method intended to slow the rate of mutations that allow cancer cells to survive. Elsewhere, Khamsi discusses how some conditions long thought to be inherited from parents, such as autism, Down syndrome, and endometriosis, may arise from mutations that occur during fetal development. Through lucid language and enlightening case studies, Khamsi makes a persuasive case that "we're mistaken if we limit ourselves to thinking of genetic diseases as always inherited." Readers will benefit from this comprehensive look at the dynamic nature of DNA.
