Quest: The Essence of Humanity

"An excellent new book .... as wide–ranging as the human species itself, skipping from DNA to Minoan civilization to GM crops in search of evidence." Newsweek

"One of the most thought–provoking books to come my way for some time." Sunday Telegraph

This epic work spans science, philosophy, religion and the arts to examine the past and the future of the human race.

From Homer to Star Wars humans have been driven by quest. Since we first walked humankind has sought beyond basic needs and personal comfort for knowledge, for wealth and for adventure. We climb mountains because they are there, study and experiment for the sake of knowledge and have voyaged to the moon and beyond. In this epic work Charles Pasternak argues that it is precisely this propensity for quest that has made humans unique and led to our domination over other species.

Quest traces life on earth from primitive cells through ancient civilizations and the great artists, scientists and explorers of the past, to the forefront of genetic experimentation today. The author argues that it is not any single genetic difference that has differentiated us from other animals but a combination of very subtle changes that have enabled man to exercise a greater ability to quest. He believes that a weakening in the exercise of the instinct to quest among the western nations will lead to a decline in their influence, relative to those of eastern populations such as China and India, south east Asia and Japan.

Illustrations.

Foreword.

Acknowledgements.

1. Prologue.

PART I: EVOLUTION: THE GENETIC BASIS OF QUEST.

2. Unity and diversity in living organisms.

3. Plants and microbes: the origin of vision.

4. Animals and man: development of human attributes.

PART II: DOMINATION: THE CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN QUEST.

5. Out of Africa: exploration and expansion.

6. The ladder: adversity and achievement.

7. Civilisation1: towns and temples.

8. Civilisation 2: communication and culture.

9. Technology: war and welfare

10. Religion: belief and dogma.

11. Science: explanation and experimentation.

PART III: CONTROVERSY: CURRENT QUEST.

12. Tinkering with genes1: GM foods.

13. Tinkering with genes 2: GM people.

PART IV: SPECULATION: A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE.

14. Extinction or survival of Homo quaerens?

15. Epilogue.

Bibliography.

Glossary.

Index.

Charles A. Pasternak is a biochemist and founding Director of the Oxford International Biomedical Centre. His previous academic experience has included research and teaching posts at the universities of Oxford, London (St George s Medical School), Yale and California (UCSD Medical School). While at St George s Medical School, he was founder and Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry, which he later expanded into the Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences.

Charles Pasternak is acclaimed for his pioneering work in membrane research and is a tireless promoter of international collaboration, working with UNESCO, IUBMB and universities worldwide. He is the author of a number of books and is editor–in–chief of a scientific journal. He has recently turned his attention to communicating scientific subjects to a broader readership.

Charles comes from a highly talented family. He is nephew of Boris Pasternak, author of Doctor Zhivago, and grandson of Leonid Pasternak, the Russian Impressionist painter.