"James D. Watson, the Nobel laureate whose pioneering work helped unlock the mystery of DNA's structure, charts the greatest scientific journey of our time, from the discovery of the double helix to today's controversies to what the future may hold. Updated to include new findings in gene editing, epigenetics, agricultural chemistry, as well as two entirely new chapters on personal genomics and cancer research. This is the most comprehensive and authoritative exploration of DNA's impact--practical, social, and ethical--on our society and our world"--Provided by publisher.

"Newly Revised and updated"--Cover. "This is a Borzoi book"--Title page verso. Subtitle of first edition: The secret of life.

Introduction : the secret of life -- Beginnings of genetics : from Mendel to Hitler -- The double helix : this is life -- Reading the code : bringing DNA to life -- Playing God : customized DNA molecules -- DNA, dollars, and drugs : biotechnology -- Tempest in a cereal box : genetically modified food -- The human genome : life's screenplay -- Personal genetics : the first of the rest of us -- Reading genomes : evolution in action -- Out of Africa : DNA and the human past -- Genetic fingerprinting : DNA's day in court -- Disease genes : hunting and treating human disease -- Who we are : nature vs. nurture -- Cancer : war without end? -- Coda : our genes and our future.