Over the past decade, the field of human genetics has produced an extraordinary range of discoveries—including the refinement of polygenic scores, which use a person’s DNA to estimate their likelihood of developing a trait or disease. But are these new technologies ready to leave the research lab and be deployed in schools, fertility clinics, and the wider world?
What People Are Saying
“What We Inherit is like eavesdropping in on the riveting conversation at the table next door—where two brilliant scholars are hashing out their points of agreement and disagreement about the promises and perils of genomics. Part history of biology, part primer on the science of heredity, part genetics myth-busters, part health policy, Martschenko and Trejo’s account charts a course that reveals why genomics remains so highly contentious, how people who don’t see eye to eye can still eagerly learn from one another, and where science and society must go from here.”
—James Tabery, author of Tyranny of the Gene: Personalized Medicine and Its Threat to Public Health
“What We Inherit takes scholarly debate and collaboration to a new level, transforming them into a stunning example of reciprocity and synergy across the sciences.”
—Rina Bliss, author of What’s Real About Race? Untangling Science, Genetics, and Society
“What We Inherit is a bold and timely interrogation of how genetics and myth collide. With clarity and courage, Sam Trejo and Daphne Martschenko remind us that we inherit not only DNA but also dangerous stories filled with bias. What makes this book especially compelling is how the authors, who do not always agree, invite us into their informed and nuanced dialogue—showing what healthy debate can look like. The result is a rare and essential guide toward a genomic future rooted in justice and care, and a framework useful for all fields and all difficult discussions.”
—Anna Malaika Tubbs, author of The New York Times bestsellers The Three Mothers and Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us
“Martschenko and Trejo have written a remarkable book that opens up a contentious topic with passion, rigor, nuance, openness, and mutual respect. A must-read for anyone interested in genetics and human lives—and anyone searching for a respite from ‘angry science.’”
—Kathryn Paige Harden, author of The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality
“Is DNA destiny? Are there genetic differences between races? Trejo and Martschenko tackle these difficult questions head-on, revealing how DNA both shapes and is shaped by the social world, and providing a crucial road map for responsible stewardship of genetic technologies. This compelling book illuminates how emerging genetic technologies could either deepen societal inequalities—or help us build a fairer, healthier future.”
—Dalton Conley, author of The Social Genome: The New Science of Nature and Nurture