{"product_id":"the-common-thread-a-story-of-science-politics-ethics-and-the-human-genome","title":"The Common Thread: A Story of Science, Politics, Ethics and the Human Genome","description":"The world was agog when scientists made the astounding announcement that they had successfully sequenced the human genome. Few contributed so directly to this feat as John Sulston. This is his personal account of one of the largest international scientific operations ever undertaken.  It was a momentous occasion when British scientist John Sulston embarked on the greatest scientific endeavor of our times: the sequencing of the Human Genome. In The Common Thread  Sulston takes us behind the scenes for an in-depth look at the controversial story behind the headlines. The accomplishments and the setbacksalong with the politics  personalities  and ethicsthat shaped the research are frankly explored by a central figure key to the project.  From the beginning  Sulston fervently proclaimed his belief in the free and open exchange of the scientific information that would emerge from the project. Guided by these principles  The Human Genome Project was structured so that all the findings were public  encouraging an unparalleled international collaboration among scientists and researchers.  Then  in May 1998  Craig Venter announced that he was quitting the Human Genome Projectwith plans to head up a commercial venture launched to bring out the complete sequence three years hence  but marketed in a proprietary database. Venters intentions  clearly anathema to Sulston and the global network of scientists working on the Project  marked the beginning of a dramatic struggle to keep the human genome in the public domain.  More than the story of human health versus corporate wealth  this is an exploration of the very nature of a scientific quest for discovery. Infused with Sulstons own enthusiasm and excitement  the tale unfolds to reveal the scientists who painstakingly turn the key that will unlock the riddle of the human genome. We are privy to the joy and exuberance of success as well as the stark disappointments posed by inevitable failures. It is truly a wild and wonderful ride.  The Common Thread is at once a compelling history and an impassioned call for ethical responsibility in scientific research. As the boundaries between science and big business increasingly blur  and researchers race to patent medical discoveries  the international community needs to find a common protocol for the protection of the wider human interest. This extraordinary enterprise is a glimpse of our shared human heritage  offering hope for future research and a fresh outlook on our understanding of ourselves.","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44919008002101,"sku":"ByrdShop_0309084091","price":57.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/ByrdShop_0309084091_51938f15-c61f-4f6c-8303-d12ac64307d2.jpg?v=1770156881","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-common-thread-a-story-of-science-politics-ethics-and-the-human-genome","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}