Survival of the Sickest - The suprising connections between disease and longevity

Author(s): Sharon Moalem; Jonathan Prince

Science

In this groundbreaking and absorbing book Dr. Sharon Moalem, delves back into the evolution of man to offer a radical perspective on survival, the human body, and our understanding of disease. Survival of the Sickest will change the way you think about your body. Dr. Moalem investigates peculiar and puzzling features of human biology to reveal the answers to such provocative questions as: / Why do we need to pee when we're cold? / Can a person rust to death? / Why are Greeks hairier than Africans? / Can the tanning salon lower cholesterol? / Why are leeches back in vogue? / Can sunglasses cause sunburns? / Who gets drunk faster -- Europeans or Asians? In considering the question of why diseases exist, Dr Moalem proposes that most common diseases came into existence for very good reasons. Diabetes, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia may all exist because, at some time in our past, they helped our ancestors survive some grand challenge to human existence.In turn, he also discovers that genetic and cultural differences have led to each race having different and unique ways of reacting to their environment and subsequently how they become susceptible to certain diseases.

First published 2007.


Product Information

General Fields

  • : 9780007256549
  • : HarperCollins
  • : Harper
  • : 0.262
  • : April 2008
  • : 2.2 Centimeters X 12.7 Centimeters X 19.6 Centimeters
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Sharon Moalem; Jonathan Prince
  • : Paperback
  • : English
  • : 616.042
  • : good-very good
  • : 288