Every part of our bodies, from toenails to hair and everything in between, is built based on the instructions coded into our genes. Therefore, understanding what genes are and how they work is crucial to understanding our bodies, our health, and even our identities. Siddhartha Mukherjee wrote The Gene to give the average reader a basic grounding in the history and the science of genetics.

Mukherjee is an immunologist and geneticist known for his work in cancer research, a field closely linked to genetics. The Gene explores scientists’ efforts to learn about people by studying the genes that create us: The book traces the history of genetics from Darwin’s Origin of Species to modern gene sequencing technology, as well as taking a brief look at what genetic engineering might mean for humanity’s future. Our commentary will provide background information and explanations to help readers understand the science behind The Gene. We’ll also examine advancements in genetics since The Gene’s publication in 2016.