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ALPHABETICAL BRAIN® VOCABULARY
HUMANIST GALAXY
OF SECULAR SCIENCE STARS
BETH SHAPIRO
September 26, 2022
LIFE AS WE MADE IT:
How 50,000 Years of Human Innovation
Refined — and Redefined — Nature
by Beth Alison Shapiro.
Basic Books, 2021
(i-vii, 340 pages)
Quote = "Beth Shapiro, who is a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, [where her work has centered on the analysis of ancient DNA] describes how the molecular tools of biotechnology are just the latest in a long line of innovations stretching back to the extra food and warm fires that first brought wolves into the human fold, turning them into devoted dogs.
Also, Shapiro shows how with each innovation and every plant and animal we touched, we not only shaped our own diets, genes, and social structures but we reset the course of evolution, both theirs and ours. It is the essence of what our species does!" (Slightly paraphrased by webmaster from publishers blurb)
Quotes = "From the first dog to the first beefalo, from farming to CRISPR, this book describes the human history of remaking nature. Humans seem to be destroying nature with incessant fiddling." (Slightly paraphrased by webmaster from publishers blurb)
Quotes = "This book recasts the history of biology and technology alike. It shows that the history of our species is essentially and inevitably a story of us meddling with nature. And that ultimately, the fate of our species depends on how we do it in the future." (Slightly paraphrased by webmaster from publishers blurb)
BOOK OUTLINE
note = Numbers in parentheses refer to pages
PROLOGUE - PROVIDENCE (1-10)
PART 1 — THE WAY IT IS (11-)
1) BONE MINING (13-41)
2) ORIGIN STORY (43-68)
3) BLITZKRIEG (69-102)
4) LACTASE PERSISTENCE (103-133)
5) LAKE COW BACON (135-168)
PART 2 — THE WAY IT COULD BE (169-292)
6) POLLED (171-214)
7) INTENDED CONSEQUENCES (215-258)
8) TURKISH DELIGHT (259-292)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (293-295)
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES (297-327)
INDEX (329-340)
AUTHOR NOTES, SUMMARY,
AND BOOK DESCRIPTION
AUTHOR NOTES = Beth Shapiro is a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where her work has centered on the analysis of ancient DNA. The author of How to Clone a Mammoth , which won the AAAS science writing award, she lives in Santa Cruz, California.
SUMMARY = From the first dog to the first beefalo, from farming to CRISPR, the human history of remaking nature. Humans seem to be destroying nature with incessant fiddling. We can use viruses to insert genes for pesticide resistance into plants, or to make the flesh of goldfish glow. We can turn bacteria into factories for millions of molecules, from vitamin A and insulin to diesel fuel. The potential for harm can seem both enormous and inevitable.
BOOK DESCRIPTION = In the book, evolutionary biologist Beth Shapiro argues that our fears of new technologies are not just mistaken, but they miss the big picture about human history: we have been remaking nature for as long as we have been around. In 2020, when the Nobel Prize was awarded to the inventors of CRISPR, the revolutionary gene-editing tool, it underlined our amazing and apparently novel powers to alter nature. But as Shapiro shows, the molecular tools of biotechnology are just the latest in a long line of innovations stretching back to the extra food and warm fires that first brought wolves into the human fold, turning them into devoted dogs. She shows that with each innovation and every plant and animal we touched, we not only shaped our own diets, genes, and social structures but we reset the course of evolution, both theirs and ours. It is the essence of what our species does!
Perhaps more importantly, Shapiro offers a new understanding of the evolution of our species and those that surround us. We might think of evolution as a process bigger than humans — and everything else! She argues that we have always been active participants in evolution, driving it both inadvertently and intentionally with our remarkable capacity for technological innovation. Although we think of only modern technology as capable of gene editing, she shows that even the first stone tools could edit DNA, simply by changing the world in which all life lives.
Recasting the history of biology and technology alike, the book shows that the history of our species is essentially and inevitably a story of us meddling with nature. And that ultimately, our species' fate depends on how we do it in the future. In exploring our evolutionary and cultural history, Shapiro finds a course for the future. If we have always been changing nature to help us survive and thrive, then we need to avoid naive arguments about how we might destroy it with our meddling, and instead ask how we can meddle better.
EDITORIAL BOOK REVIEWS
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY REVIEW = People have been shaping the evolution of the living things around us throughout our history," writes biologist Shapiro (How to Clone a Mammoth) in this fun-filled survey. Humans are living in an age filled with biotechnology, she writes, and people are worried --- but human interference with nature isn't as new as it may seem. Shapiro draws on a slew of lively examples to prove her point: bison had to adapt to life with humans, for example, and evolved to be smaller and nimbler to run away quicker, while the transition from wolves to dogs was a relationship formed by proximity that turned into mutualism.
Shapiro addresses intervention in the form of genetic engineering and GMOs (breaking down the "knee-jerk yuck factor" GMOs can provoke) and highlights farmers attempting to "improve animal welfare... while at the same time improving the economics of cattle farming" with gene-editing. Shapiro's anecdotes are full of energy, as when Shapiro is with a museum collections manager who drops a pigeon specimen; when the head pops off, Shapiro reacts: "I, of course, did what every self-respecting early career ancient DNA scientist would do. I took a piece of its toepad and extracted its DNA," she writes. Perfect for fans of Mary Roach, this is science writing with much to savor.
BOOKLIST REVIEW "We outcompete all other species by killing them or taming them," evolutionary biologist Shapiro (How to Clone a Mammoth, 2015) starkly writes. She describes the many ways humans have shaped the evolutionary paths of other species, both fauna and flora, and speculates on how biotechnology (synthetic biology, gene editing, cloning) might transform life on earth in the future. Humans have shifted from predator to domesticator and potentially to protector (as conservationists). Shapiro discusses the domestication of animals, agriculture, and the fragile stability of ecological communities.
Featured creatures include North American bison, black-footed ferrets, moas (giant birds), hornless cattle, and glowing, bioengineered fish. The scientific study of ancient DNA preserved in extinct species and the possibility of de-extinction (employing biotech to bring back extinct species in the manner of Jurassic Park) make for truly fascinating reading. Employing just the right amount of paleontology, history, genomics, and archaeology, Shapiro warns that we stand on the precipice of fashioning a new, unnatural nature. The risk of messing up the future of other species and even the planet itself looms large.
PROFESSIONAL BOOK REVIEWS
[1] A brilliant combination of science, natural history, and first-person experience, the book shows how our species has been manipulating nature for nearly as long as we’ve been around. Anyone who wants to better understand the future of life --- human and otherwise --- should read this book. -- Jennifer Doudna, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
[2] Shapiro takes readers on a succinct and compelling journey through historical events, inventions, and decisions that have forever changed the course of life on Earth… In what is perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the book, Shapiro clearly articulates key questions whose answers will define how we think about and use the power we now yield. -- Science
[3] Shapiro’s point, throughout the book, is that we have always meddled with nature; the answer is not to stop meddling, but to meddle better… With this clear-eyed account of its humanitarian potential, Shapiro has done the field a great service. -- Nature
[4] In her thoughtful and entertaining book, Beth Shapiro argues that humankind’s profound and protracted interventions have blurred the distinction between the natural and artificial worlds. -- Wall Street Journal
[5] A detailed exploration of some of the most influential technologies of our time. It also offers a tantalising glimpse of what might be in store in the future, when humanity starts to mix things up all over again. -- The New Scientist
[6] Humans are a force of nature. This paradoxical thought is the glue that holds the book together. But it is not the environment-changing effects of human activity on land, sea and air that intrigue Beth Shapiro --- or not directly. Instead, she looks at how people have altered living organisms themselves, exerting an evolutionary pressure on other species… In an age when ‘technology’ has become synonymous with the information kind, it is worth being reminded that other sorts are available. And with one of them people can, if they so choose, remake themselves. -- The Economist
[7] The book presents a compelling vision that encourages us to be more open-minded. -- New Statesman
[8] For anyone curious about the past, present and future of human interference in nature, the book offers a compelling survey of the possibilities and pitfalls. Shapiro is an engaging, clear-eyed guide, leading readers through the technical tangles and ethical thickets of this not-so-new frontier. Along the way, the book glitters with lively, humorous vignettes from Shapiro’s career in ancient DNA research. Her tales are often rife with awe. -- Science News
[9] "Unmissable." = Reaction! [un·miss·a·ble]
(1) So good that it should not be missed = "the special effects make this an unmissable treat".
(2) So clear or obvious that it cannot be missed. = "An unmissable target".
[10] A fun filled survey - Shapiro’s anecdotes are full of energy = Perfect for fans of Mary Roach, this is science writing with much to savor. -- Publishers Weekly
[11] The scientific study of ancient DNA preserved in extinct species and the possibility of de extinction make for truly fascinating reading. Employing just the right amount of paleontology, history, genomics, and archaeology, Shapiro warns that we stand on the precipice of fashioning a new, unnatural nature. The risk of messing up the future of other species and even the planet itself looms large. -- Booklist
[12] For the past two decades, Beth Shapiro has pioneered using ancient DNA to understand the diversity of life. In Life as We Made It, her twin passions for cutting-edge science and natural history leap from every page. This book will entertain and challenge you to think in new ways about our role in the future of life on Earth. -- Neil Shubin, evolutionary biologist and author of Your Inner Fish.
[13] In this brilliant new book, biologist Beth Shapiro tells the incredible story of how we’re remaking much of nature and lays out a thoughtful path for how we can survive and thrive by learning to more wisely apply our god-like powers. -- Jamie Metzl, author of Hacking Darwin
[14] Shapiro chronicles the many ways humans have influenced the evolutionary trajectories of other species, from prehistory through the present day. Tools like CRISPR are just the latest way we have shaped the life on this planet. She effectively makes the case that our use of evolution as a tool is ethically acceptable, if done carefully and with informed consent. -- Emma Marris, author of Wild Souls.
AMAZON BOOK REVIEWERS
[1] Carl E. Johnson, Jr. - Life as we make it = The title should be: Life as we made it, life as we're making it, and life as we will make it. The author covers the past, present and future of the impact of humans on other life forms, from seed selection in the distant past to synthetic biology today and tomorrow, e.g., messing around with genes. Some of science is technical and the lay reader is not likely to fully grasp all the details -- I did not -- but no matter. The big picture is what's important, and Shapiro's covers a lot of territory in less than 300 pages of text. The author includes just enough human interest, too, so it's definitely not dry. If you're anti-GMO you probably won't like the book, but read it anyway. If you are on board with science, you should enjoy it.
[2] Anita - Science for the general reader = While the author covers complex scientific issues, the book is written for anyone who had had a high school science class and knows what DNA is. It is interesting and clear as a history of what has happened. The future of genetic engineering is covered in a way that can be understood by the educated general reader. This is a valuable book for anyone wanting to figure out what is known about evolution and where we have come from.
[3] Mario Daly - Fascinating and well-written = A really great book that covers a topic that has shaped humanity and the world we live in, and which will only become more important in years to come. The author does a great job of getting into some of the technical details of the science while still offering a book that is relatively easy to understand even for those of us who do not have a background in these subjects.
[4] MDW - Excellent = Well written and thoroughly researched. I highly recommend the book.
[5] Pepper - Dr. Shapiro is good = Shapiro is the "Carl Sagan of molecular genomics."
[6] Jeff and Tonya - This book contains solid history, but is perhaps a bit too optimistic on future technology = The book describes the history of how humans have been using crude genetic engineering essentially since we first began interacting with the world --- both plant and animal. It shows how our more modern techniques, including CRSPR came to be. Shapiro does a great job of showing how much humans have already shaped the evolution of non-human life on this planet. In the ancient world, she uses a lot of her own experiences as a scientist in the field. Even in more modern cases, she discusses the techniques that she discussed in the earlier sections that she has used extensively herself. On these points, Shapiro is truly excellent.
Where she stumbles a bit, but not enough to deduct a star. However, enough for a bit of commentary; namely, she may be a bit too optimistic about how genetic tinkering will be used in the future. As she discussed the many quandaries, including *even when discussing the GMO humans created in China a couple of years ago.* Shapiro tends to just hand wave over the negative, darker sides of the technology even while acknowledging their potentially cataclysmic power. This is where a solid dose of science fiction is useful, showing that even when scientists such as Shapiro have the best of intentions, things may not always turn out the way they think. Thus, caution is truly warranted. Still, for what it is and for what the description claims it sets out to do, this is truly a solid examination of the history and current state of the field. Thus we highly recommend it.
[7] Gorilichis - Approachable = This is a very interesting look into how humans have modified their environment from the beginning, sometimes for good but also for evil. We have caused whole species to go extinct, but we also have the capacity to use our powers for good. Shapiro shows this, as well as the new tools at our disposal that make saving the world a little easier. She clearly makes an effort to show different points of view but I think it is obvious what side she is on. But some scientific explanations were too technical for me to follow, but in general her language is easy to understand. I liked the historical background and possible futures. Let us hope we choose wisely.
[8] CV - Lessons the book taught = Beth Shapiro is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator/Professor, MacArthur Fellow, Doctor of Philosophy and Professor at the University of California Santa Cruz (one of the top 5 UC campuses!). She clearly deserves 5 stars. The title alone is fantastic. Really draws you into the premise of the book, which is how we humans have shaped the nature around us.
[9] Trust Science = Humans through science are now ready to impact life in a more systematic and profound manner. This book tells us how this could be done and provides an honest spin on how the scientific process works. Risky though it may be, we have no choice but make it work for the benefit of future generations.
REMEMBER ALWAYS:
You Are Your Adaptable Memory!
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