The Genetic Age cover art

The Genetic Age

Our Perilous Quest to Edit Life

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Genetic Age

By: Matthew Cobb
Narrated by: Joe Jameson
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £22.25

Buy Now for £22.25

About this listen

A new gene editing technology, invented just seven years ago, has turned humanity into gods. Enabling us to manipulate the genes in virtually any organism with exquisite precision, CRISPR has given scientists a degree of control that was undreamt of even in science fiction.

But CRISPR is just the latest, giant leap in a long journey to master genetics. The Genetic Age shows the astonishing, world-changing potential of the new genetics and the possible threats it poses, sifting between fantasy and the reality when it comes to both benefits and dangers.

By placing each phase of discovery, anticipation and fear in the context of over fifty years of attempts to master the natural world, Matthew Cobb, the Baillie-Gifford-shortlisted author of The Idea of the Brain, weaves the stories of science, history and culture to shed new light on our future. With the powers now at our disposal, it is a future that is almost impossible to imagine—but it is one we will create ourselves.

©2022 Matthew Cobb (P)2022 Profile Books Ltd Biological Sciences Evolution & Genetics Genetics Medicine & Health Care Industry Physical Illness & Disease Science Genetic Disease Human Brain
All stars
Most relevant
Genetics and genes I find difficult and hoped to learn here but instead the book is totally non-technical and tells the story of the goals and politics of gene editing. The writer is somewhere up in admin and familiar with grants, resources, the media, lead scientists (both respectable and malign), ambitions and public attitudes in the decades-long story which unfolds in convoluted twists and turns. Absorbed it all in one day !

Great book for non-experts

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.