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Book Review of Darwin's Radio (Darwin, Bk 1)

Darwin's Radio (Darwin, Bk 1)
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Science fiction is supposed to be based on science. Greg Bear uses scientific knowledge about the genome fairly well up to the point where "Darwin's radio" comes into play - which is the notion that a stem cell genome can sense the viability of genomic rearrangements already out there and make a new and appropriately improved rearrangement. Added to that, cardboard characterizations make this a major waste of time. Two points for giving a reasonably accurate picture of the politics and bureaucracy of science - but by the end of the book, who cares?