The knowledge gene by Lynne Kelly

Does humankind have a single supergene that we can ascribe to our ascendency over the apes? Dr Lynne Kelly’s theory is both biological and anthropological but weighted firmly in the latter.   

The Knowledge Gene thesis springs from a group of patients born with a mutation of the NF1 gene (believed to be a tumour suppressor) leading to Neurofibromatosis – a condition whose most outward signs are skin and tissue nodules of varying severity. A wide variance in  phenotype can also mean varying degrees of dysfunction in language, perception memory, attention, executive functioning and social skills. With recent advances in molecular biology it made sense that a supergene is involved and various genes, alleles and molecular promotors and modifers are now known to contribute.

This textbook is of definite appeal to fans of popular science authors like Phillip Ball (How Life Works)  writing about the oversimplification of molecular biology in practice, which is holding us back in our understanding of the relationship between phenotype and genotype in any apparently single-gene condition and hindering the quest for affective treatments. 

However, molecular biology is only the beginning as Dr Kelly unpacks the last 500,000 years of human evolution through archeology,  art, communication, music, oral knowledge, memory and wayfaring amongst other constructs, along a linear journey of one uniquely successful mammal’s distinctive creativity and acuity using surviving pieces of cultural evidence.  

Chapters reflect the authors substantive knowledge of indigenous memory systems gleaned from art and song but also those showcasing generalized literacy and spacial ability before recommending how to use these tools and systems such as music, repetition even tangible learning boards, in order to improve our current learning capacity.  The colour plates bring key pieces of evidence to life and really lift the content to a higher level of  fascination.

The appendix  containing tables of Knowledge Gene skill sets, the author's notes and a comprehensive index,  all make this humble paperback a user friendly aid to researchers and practical educators. Whilst eclectic, this cultural history textbook cross referenced with molecular biology, has practical purpose. If only as general awareness and caution against oversimplification in science or the quick dismissal of simple technology, it is a foundational fusion of academic disciplines to encourage lateral thinking, even if librarians will agonise over the best location on the shelf.   416p

Themes: Genetics, anthropology, molecular biology, knowledge, learning, arts, evolution.

Deborah Robins