[.ca] Time, Love, Memory: A Great Biologist and His Quest for ... (ISBN 0679444351)

From Amazon.com:
In the words of Jonathan Weiner, "Time, love, and memory are ... three cornerstones of the pyramid of behavior." While some find it difficult to view humans as mere machines, molecular biologists maintain that most behavior is genetically based. Even skeptics and opponents agree that molecular biology may well change the way we all live in the 21st century. Little-known outside this exploding field, Seymour Benzer, his mentors, and his generations of students have studied the common fruit fly, Drosophila, and discovered genes that seem to have some influence upon our internal clock, our sexuality, and our ability to learn from our experiences. Weiner (whose last book, The Beak of the Finch, won a Pulitzer Prize) has written an affectionate history about the development of the science while offering charming glimpses of the people involved--trading haircuts to stretch their grant money in the early years, roaming the laboratory into the wee hours, naming the genes associated with learning after Pavlov's dogs. It's not all sweetness and light, however; ethical questions are raised, some of the hype (and hysteria) surrounding the human genome project is dissipated, and the complicated "clockwork" gene "looks less like an invitation to human intervention and more like a cautionary tale or object lesson for anyone who might try, in the 21st century, to improve on nature's four-billion-year-old designs." That said, the scientists in Weiner's tale reveal a very human side of this fast-moving science, and their belief that they'll find answers to important questions is contagious and compelling. As Benzer himself said, "It's a wonderful, fabulous world, and it's been kicking around a long time." --C.B. Delaney

Timeless:
An evocative and wholely compelling portrait of one man that illiminates some of the most significant insights in 20th century biology. Marvelously done. An excellent introduction to molecular genetics. Literary, insightful, witty and precise.

These types of researchers are as odd as Weiner says!:
I know a few of these types at the University of Pittsburgh. In fact, I even tried to get into a lab where they were working with Drosophila (flies) and eyesight. They live in their own world, but the work that they have done on genes will provide information on not only this one species, but on humans as well. Mr. Weiner does an excellent job of portraiture with words. The men who did all this work come out not just as scientists with quirks, of which there are many, but also as men with passions about what they are doing. Not all researchers have this passion, and that is why some work in medical science is stagnating while other is leaping forward in great bounds. I laughed when I recognized some of the stunts they pulled and the innovations they made using simple ideas. Some of science is serendipity, some is sheer perserverence, and some is creative thinking in the simplest terms. This is what Jonathan Weiner wrote so well about in this book. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

Looking at little people with wings:
Far, far back in time, a group of molecules, tangled in crystals of clay, learned the trick of replication. Over time, joined by other molecules of similar talent, they grew complex, finally forming organisms. Seeking food, needing rest, hiding from hungry fellows, developing sex as an offshoot of replication skills, patterns of activity emerged - behaviour. The molecules altered form as external environment changed. Successful changes were kept, while others were left inert in storage. None were discarded, and those controlling basic body structure and fundamental behaviour patterns remained intact across the wide span of living things. After over 3 billion years of life traversing this path, one of the organisms set out to determine how it all worked. Jonathan Weiner's relation of a century of research teasing into view DNA's mechanisms for guiding behaviour is a brilliant piece of science writing. His focus is Seymour Benzer and his research team studied flies, recording how changing conditions modified conduct. It became clear that 'dumb' animals could adapt through learning. Not only adapt, but retain memories to repeat the new behaviour when needed. By the end of the 20th Century, the research began to identify where along the structure of DNA the operational level of these behaviour codes resided. As often as not a single 'letter' change in the gene was found to trigger the change. More immediately, the information revealed in fruit flies was repeated in other animals. Duplicating the finds in mammals has overwhelming implications for humans. Weiner's account is forcefully presented in a clear, direct style. This book is a supreme example science writing at its very summit. He offer no judgements of his own. It isn't necessary for him to flaunt the victory Benzer's research grants E. O. Wilson's sociobiology. In fact, Weiner's account of Richard Lewontin's objections to relating genetic bases of behaviour to humans simply lets Lewontin hang himself out to dry. Weiner clearly values the effort invested in the research by Benzer, Tim Tully, Chip Quinn, and, of course, the paramount figure of all, Thomas Hunt Morgan who, with Alfred Sturtevant, initiated the work so long ago. If you wish to gain insight into your place in the natural universe, this book is a must read. If you adhere to the idea that evolution is a progressive path to humans as the ultimate goal, this book is a must read. If you feel that some divinity has plunked you on this planet with a special role, read this book. Whoever you are, read this book.

Flies Ahead of Time:
Weiner's biography of Seymore Benzer is a well written history of modern genetics/politics. A loner, a genius, Benzer was clearly years ahead of his time and changed career directions several times to explore areas that fascinated him. Inspite of derision from colleagues, he believed that behaviors are genetically determined traits, not a popular theory. The clever, simple experiments conducted in flies are well described. Would the NIH would have funded his novel theories? It is not stated, yet Benzer appeared to have a successful career spanning many decades. The tale was inspirational, a joy to read, and funny - with flies dancing in conga lines. It induced hope and courage to continue onward - Thanks to Weiner and Benzer!

Finding out about the fruit fly, and us:
This is a well written exploration of the role the fruit fly has played in the development of our understanding of the effect of genes on behavior. Weiner humanizes the search by interspersing personal stories of the researchers of the time with the discoveries they make. Who would have thought that we share a sequence of amino acids with a fruit fly--a sequence that is involved in setting circadian rhythms? Who would have thought that by changing just one nucleotide (in the right place) you can convert a fruit fly from one species to another? Who would have thought that one way to figure out what DNA sequences do in people is to see if they match sequences in fruit flies, or mice? Written in clear, lively prose, this book is a great introduction to genetic research.