Sam Kean. The Violinist’s Thumb and Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by our Genetic Code. (New York: Little, Brown & Company 2012)

When looking at the overall history of DNA studies and the investigations into its multiple functions, what is most striking is the recurrence of representations containing references to the laws of mechanics or informatics, identifying genetic information as the source of any biological alterations of living beings. On the other hand, DNA is not a biological mould able to totally determine the destiny of its possessor, even as far as the details of sexual, political, and cultural preferences, or the diseases that will affect health. Such still-dominant mechanistic perspectives concerning such a complex and multi-faceted phenomenon as DNA reveals what are the prevailing visions in science education and information.