Beyond Inheritance

“A useful guide to this body of research and its far-reaching, sometimes surprising implications. . . . Khamsi’s emphasis on the beneficial aspects of somatic mutations is one of the most striking elements of her book.” —Jerome Groopman, The New Yorker

“This is an important book, bringing together a lot of disparate research from different fields to paint a picture that I think everyone should be aware of—especially those working in healthcare.” —New Scientist

“Khamsi’s easy, friendly writing style makes understanding concepts such as tumor suppressor genes and cellular competition simple and quick. . . . [she] expertly weaves together the stories of patients, clinicians and scientists to show that understanding mutations can lead to better treatments and cures.” —Science News

“Fascinating. . . . ‘There is grandeur in this view of life,’ Darwin said of evolution. Grandeur also exists in this new view of DNA.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Lucid language and enlightening case studies. . . . Readers will benefit from this comprehensive look at the dynamic nature of DNA.” —Publishers Weekly

“Roxanne Khamsi provides ample evidence that the DNA we’re born with mutates. Because of this, the brain you’re using to finish reading this sentence must be a little bit different from the one you started with a few seconds ago. Mutations are only now coming to be understood. Read on.” —Bill Nye, science educator

“In this constantly fascinating and impeccably reported book, Roxanne Khamsi unveils the incredible and unexpected diversity that exists and grows within our very bodies. You won’t look at yourself in the same way again.” —Ed Yong, bestselling author of An Immense World and I Contain Multitudes

“I’m a mutant. You’re a mutant. We’re all mutants billions of times over, as the excellent science writer Roxanne Khamsi explains in this fascinating, lucid exploration of a biological phenomenon that could be the key to unlocking new treatments for cancer and other dread diseases.” —Dan Fagin, author of Toms River, winner of the Pulitzer Prize

“Roxanne Khamsi’s astonishing new book reveals that we are not settled stories; our very cells are always altering, endlessly mutating to defend and adapt. Lyrical, revelatory, and precise, Beyond Inheritance will change how you think about your own face in the mirror and your place in the world.” —Maryn McKenna, author of Big Chicken, Superbug, and Beating Back the Devil

“We are all mosaics! With captivating stories, Khamsi’s brilliant, eye-opening book systematically assesses the vital, under-recognized health impact of the mutations we acquire throughout our lives.” —Eric Topol, author of Super Agers, Professor and EVP, Scripps Research

“Urgent, brilliant, and wickedly clever, this book reframes medicine for what it really is: a survival story unfolding one typo at a time.” —Dr. Céline Gounder, physician, epidemiologist, and medical journalist at CBS News and KFF Health News