Unnatural Selection: How We Are Changing Life, Gene by Gene

202 Pages·2015·1.079 MB·English

by  Dr. Emily Monosson (auth.)

Unnatural Selection

Unnatural Selection
HOW WE ARE CHANGING LIFE, GENE BY GENE
Emily Monosson
Washington | Covelo | London
Copyright © 2015 Emily Monosson
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright
Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by
any means without permission in writing from the publisher: Island Press,
2000 M Street, NW, Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036.
ISLAND PRESS is a trademark of the Center for Resource Economics.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014939900
Printed on recycled, acid-free paper
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Keywords: rapid evolution, antibiotic resistance, vaccines, pesticide resis-
tance, Roundup, cancer treatment, bedbugs, toxics, epigenetics
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: Life-Changing Chemicals 1
Part I: Unnatural Selection in a Natural World 7
Chapter 1: Discovery: Antibiotics and the Rise of the Superbug 9
Chapter 2: Prevention: Searching for a Universal Vaccine 33
Chapter 3: Treatment: Beyond Chemotherapy 55
Chapter 4: Defiance: Rounding Up Resistance 77
Chapter 5: Resurgence: Bedbugs Bite Back 95
Part II: Natural Selection in an Unnatural World 107
Chapter 6: Release: Toxics in the Wild 109
Chapter 7: Evolution: It’s Humanly Possible 127
Part III: Beyond Selection 141
Chapter 8: Epigenetics: Epilogue or Prologue? 143
Notes 155
Index 179

Acknowledgments
Most of these chapters touch upon toxic chemicals in one way or an-
other; all of them refer to evolution—a topic that I have just begun to
explore. For providing me with the opportunity to think about toxic
chemicals and evolution in our lifetime, or rapid evolution, I would first
like to thank Island Press and my editor Emily Davis. Emily has helped
me rein in my tendency to head off along some marginally related tan-
gent, or cram each paragraph with all sorts of fascinating but not exactly
relevant scientific tidbits.
Throughout this process I have relied upon the contributions of
many scientists, using their published research and, beyond that, call-
ing upon them to be interviewed, or to review chapters, portions of
chapters, or answer questions from, in most cases, a complete stranger.
Many offered further suggestions, corrections, and encouragement
though an exchange of e-mails. Despite their best efforts I am sure
many omissions, mistakes, or inaccuracies remain, for which I am fully
responsible. The list of those scientists who kindly contributed to this
book includes but is not limited to: Josh Akey, Claude Boyd, Steven
Brady, Adria Eiskus, Suzanne Epstein, Amir Fathi, Marco Gerlinger,
Greg Jaffe, Norman Johnson, Paul Klerks, Katia Koelle, Ben Letcher,
Emmanuel Milot, Mike Owen, Colin Parrish, Rick Pilsner, Andrew
ix