Synopses & Reviews
The overwhelming majority of Americans believe in God, expressing a conviction that has existed since the beginning of recorded time and is shared by billions around the world. In The God Gene, Dean H. Hamer reveals that this inclination toward religious faith is no accident; it is hardwired into the genes. In fact, he argues, spiritual belief offers an indisputable evolutionary advantage, providing humans with a sense of purpose and the courage and will to overcome hardship and loss. And, as a growing body of evidence suggests, belief also increases our chances of reproductive survival by helping to reduce stress, prevent disease, and extend life.
Hamer shows that new discoveries in behavioral genetics and neurobiology indicate that humans inherit a set of predispositions that make their brains ready and eager to embrace a higher power. By analyzing the genetic makeup of over a thousand people of different ages and backgrounds, and comparing their DNA samples against a scale that measures spirituality, Hamer actually identified a specific gene that the most spiritual of us share. And in his book, the identity of this "God gene" is revealed for the first time.
Popular science at its best, The God Gene is an in-depth, fully accessible inquiry into the cutting-edge research that is changing the way we think about ourselves, our world, and our culture. Written with balance and integrity, without seeking to confirm or deny the existence of God, The God Gene brilliantly illuminates the mechanism by which belief itself is biologically fostered. It's a book that bridges the gap between science and religion, and one that will appeal to the readers of Genesis and GENOME alike.
Review
"Notes toward an understanding of human spirituality: vigorous, fascinating, and open to interpretation, not least by Hamer himself." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[Hamer] ends with another caveat: distinguish between beliefs and the act of believing and the war between science and religion just might be resolved." Booklist
Synopsis
Hamer, one of America's leading geneticists, presents stunning scientific evidence of the existence of a genetic component that fosters religious faith, in a fascinating book that is bound to stir controversy--and applause--in religious, and scientific circles.
About the Author
DR. DEAN HAMER is a preeminent geneticist and author of The Science of Desire, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and Living with Our Genes. Together with his scientific collaborators at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, he has authored more than one hundred articles for popular and academic science journals. His television appearances include Good Morning America, Dateline, Oprah, the national news shows, and documentaries for HBO, PBS, and the Discovery Channel. Dr. Hamer received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Ariens Kappers Award for Neurobiology.