Quest: The essence of humanity by Charles Pasternak, Wiley, £16.99/$30, ISBN 0470851449 Reviewed by Brian Fagan
THERE are no specifically “human” genes, biochemist Charles Pasternak argues in this fluent, fast-moving essay on the nature of humanity. Rather, he looks for the essence of humanity in a process that he sees as integral to all forms of life – searching, or the Quest of his title.
Even plants have quests – for the sunlight that fuels their growth. Humans, of course, have enhanced searching ability, resulting from an upright gait, manual dexterity, speech and larger brain size. Pasternak argues that though the…
