The Meanings of the Gene

"Shows public debate over genetics in the course of this century has never been merely 'scientific' but rather has been a debate over public priorities, goals, and values."—John Angus Campbell, University of Memphis, author of Speak for Yourself

“I read Celeste Condit’s history and analysis of popular accounts of genetics with interest. This original and important book offers eye-opening documentation of what’s actually been written in the popular press about genetics, including an awful lot of nonsense.”—James F. Crow, University of Wisconsin–Madison, author of How Well Can We Assess Genetic Risk?

“Condit is absolutely right in asserting that what scientists say about genetics is not necessarily what the public thinks about genetics. Her effort to untangle the meaning of the concept ‘gene’ in twentieth-century public discourse is valuable both for its historical salience and for its relation to current ethical and policy debates. A breath of very sophisticated fresh air.”—Ruth Schwartz Cowan, SUNY–Stonybrook, author of A Social History of American Technology