"Keeping his focus on America, Nathaniel Comfort introduces the community of scientists, physicians, and public health workers who have contributed to the development of medical genetics from the nineteenth century to today. He argues that medical genetics is closely related to eugenics, and indeed that the two cannot be fully understood separately. He also carefully examines how the desire to relieve suffering and to improve ourselves genetically, though noble, may be subverted. History makes clear that as patients and consumers we must take ownership of genetic medicine, using it intelligently, knowledgeably, and skeptically"-- Provided by publisher.

The Galton-Garrod Society -- Fisher's quest -- A germ theory of genes -- The heredity clinics -- How the geneticists learned to start worrying and love mutation -- Getting their organ -- Genetics without sex.