Armand Leroi - Mutants

“Once, people with disfiguring or bizarre mutations were thought monstrous. Now they give vital clues to the dance of genes during the body’s growth. Armand Leroi combines meticulous historical research, brand-new genetic understanding, and consummate skill with words to tell an absorbing tale.”

“File under: not to be read during pregnancy.”

“This book is not a smarmy gallery of freaks and monsters… an elegant study… Leroi’s aim is to illuminate, not to titillate… a testament to both the ingenuity of organic life and the protean nature of what it means to be human.”

“[A] fascinating and immensely readable book.”

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First published in the United States of America by Viking Penguin, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 2003

Published in Penguin Books 2005

13 15 17 19 20 18 16 14

Copyright © Armand Marie Leroi, 2003

All rights reserved

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS HAS CATALOGED THE HARDCOVER EDITION AS FOLLOWS:

Leroi, Armand Marie.

Mutants : on genetic variety and the human body / Armand Marie Leroi.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-670-03110-0 (hc.)

ISBN 0-142-00482-0 (pbk.)

1. Abnormalities, Human—Genetic aspects—History. 2. Human anatomy—Variation—History. 3. Mutation (Biology)—History. I. Title.

QM691.L47 2003

616’.043—dc22 2003057619

Printed in the United States of America

Set in Granjon

Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

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