Mar 28, 2022·edited Mar 28, 2022Liked by Elliot Hershberg
The pangenome / variation graph figure (second one) is from a review paper: "Pangenome Graphs" https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-genom-120219-080406. It describes the state of the art for pangenome data models as of several years ago. This specific figure shows three different visualizations of different parts of a gene in the human MHC class II. The colored bars show haplotypes assembled from the O.G. human reference genome project. Things have really changed with the new assembly data in the HPRC. We now have pangenome graph models of the entire MHC that include ~90 nearly complete assemblies! (like this http://hypervolu.me/~erik/MHC/mhc89/HPRCy1v2.MHC.fa.07df256.7748b33.fc0aea3.smooth.fix.og.viz_depth_multiqc.png)
Most positive-genetics I can think of in scifi is just kind of background detail in transhumanist or alien settings, playing with mutation or biotech or nanotech that might as well be magic. Almost anything that looks more deeply into genetics itself is going to have some amount of cautionary tension in it.
Anyway, here are some interesting books I've read where genetic engineering is mostly positive and more than a minor background element:
The pangenome / variation graph figure (second one) is from a review paper: "Pangenome Graphs" https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-genom-120219-080406. It describes the state of the art for pangenome data models as of several years ago. This specific figure shows three different visualizations of different parts of a gene in the human MHC class II. The colored bars show haplotypes assembled from the O.G. human reference genome project. Things have really changed with the new assembly data in the HPRC. We now have pangenome graph models of the entire MHC that include ~90 nearly complete assemblies! (like this http://hypervolu.me/~erik/MHC/mhc89/HPRCy1v2.MHC.fa.07df256.7748b33.fc0aea3.smooth.fix.og.viz_depth_multiqc.png)
How about the X Men series?
Most positive-genetics I can think of in scifi is just kind of background detail in transhumanist or alien settings, playing with mutation or biotech or nanotech that might as well be magic. Almost anything that looks more deeply into genetics itself is going to have some amount of cautionary tension in it.
Anyway, here are some interesting books I've read where genetic engineering is mostly positive and more than a minor background element:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Door_into_Ocean
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Time_(novel)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_of_Athos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_of_Eden