Mean Genes, Terry Burnham & Jay Phelan (Penguin Books, 2000) ***

Here’s an interesting little book written by two PhD’s who argue that much of our ‘bad’ behavior is influenced by genes which at one time provided survival value. The subtitle reads, "From sex to money to food. Taming our primal instincts." It’s written in a very readable style, almost conversational with plenty of everyday examples, but supported by research findings.

This isn’t a new theme, that much of our behavior is instinctual (or in more modern terms, ‘genetically determined’), but their approach to the topic is particularly reader-friendly. For example, they tell you why it’s so hard to stay on a diet. It’s not just that you’re a weak-willed glutton. Our ancestors foraged and hunted for millions of years and had to eat whenever they could, often gorging themselves, storing up reserves (fat) for the lean times. Those whose genes dictated that they gorge themselves were more likely to survive the lean times than those whose genes dictated moderation. And we are their survivors, with our ‘go ahead an pig-out’ genes prompting us to eat, eat, eat. But most of us, fortunately, no longer need to gorge ourselves, thanks to financial reserves, modern food processing and distribution, refrigerators, supermarkets…and, yes, lots of fast-food outlets.

The problem is that our culture and technology change much faster than our genes can keep up with. This explains much of our bad behavior (bad now, but good eons ago), such as infidelity, greed, taking drugs, etc.. Recent genetic research is used to help explain our various vices, one by one. The authors first make us feel good (it’s not our fault), then make us feel bad (these vices are harmful) and then suggest ways to overcome our genetic predispositions.

I thought a Scientific American review summed it up very nicely by stating that this book is "an owner’s manual for your brain".