A book about heredity and human heritage in the broadest sense. We are talking about more than just the sequence of nucleotides in nuclear DNA. What parents pass on to their children is influenced by a whole host of factors: mitochondrial DNA, epigenetic marks that change gene activity, and symbiotic microorganisms... And culture, traditions, geography and economics, technology and the state in which we will leave the planet, finally. . As science advances, there are more and more ways to interfere with different forms of heredity, which opens up exciting opportunities but also poses new challenges. CRISPR-Cas9 technology used for genome editing, gene drive and the creation of eggs and sperm from skin cells - the list of discoveries grows with time every day, giving enough reasons for optimism... or concern. In any case, the world will no longer be the same. Carl Zimmer is famous for his ability to tell clearly. In this landmark book, which draws on the latest research and scientific breakthroughs, the author once again proves himself to be one of the world's best science journalists.