Richard Powers
In 2008, the novelist Richard Powers "became one of the first nine people in the world to have his entire genome sequenced —a process that involves mapping out and analyzing some six billion DNA nucleotides," Alexandra Alter writes in the Wall Street Journal. "The experiment showed, among other things, that Mr. Powers, 52 years old, shares genetic traits with the Yoruba population of Ibadan, Nigeria, and that his 11th chromosome carries a longer version of the DRD4 gene, which predisposes him to seeking out new experiences.
"The revelations helped shape Mr. Power's latest high concept novel, "Generosity." The book centers on a Chicago writing professor who discovers that his student, an Algerian
refugee, may have a genetic condition that makes her abnormally happy."
From Alter's Q & A with Powers:
The Wall Street Journal: Why did you write another novel about genetics, a subject you wrote about 18 years ago?--Marshal Zeringue
Mr. Powers: Everything has changed since that book. We now have a complete map of the human genome. We are doing therapies and interventions that you could not have imagined back then. The field itself has changed from one that did primary research to one that is delivering products… My book is interested in looking at the next step—the slippery slope between medical treatment and medical enhancement.
You had your own genome sequenced two years ago as part of an assignment for GQ magazine. What was the most surprising thing you learned?
I learned that I had 26 genetic variants that greatly increased my risk for cardiovascular problems. I kind of knew that, because all the males in my family die of heart disease before the age of 50. On the other hand, I have 11 variants that increased the risk of Alzheimer's; I didn't know that before. The flip side is, I also possess 18 of 24 known possible risks for obesity, and my body mass index is borderline starvation. My sister's nickname for me throughout life has been...[read on]
