Adam's Curse: A Future without Men

by B Sykes (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2004

  $23.71

  Male reproductive fragility has been the subject of much highly publicized recent research. Is it possible, asked the New York Times, that men face extinction? Bryan Sykes examines the validity of these shocking reports, focusing on the defining characteristic of men: the Y chromosome in their DNA. Guiding his readers through chapters like The Blood of Vikings and Ribbons of Life, Sykes masterfully blends natural history with scientific fact, elucidating the biology of sexual reproduction, modern genetics, and evolutionary biology. He reveals that, while the Y chromosome makes man's existence possible, it also carries within it the seeds of his destruction. Timely and fascinating, this major work covers a wealth of controversial topics, including whether there is a genetic cause for male greed, aggression, and promiscuity; the possible existence of a male homosexual gene; and what, if anything, can be done to save men from a slow, but certain, extinction.

• Used

  Paperback
  2005

  $15.71

  By the nationally best-selling author of The Seven Daughters of Eve, Adam's Curse investigates the ultimate evolutionary crisis: a man-free future. How is it possible that the Y chromosome, which separated the sexes and allowed humans to rise to the apex of the animal kingdom, also threatens to destroy sexual reproduction altogether? Bryan Sykes confronts recent advances in evolutionary theory to find the answers to the questions that inexorably follow: Is there a genetic cause for men's greed, aggression, and promiscuity? Could a male homosexual gene possibly exist? A must read for anyone interested in popular science, family genealogy, and today's infertility crisis, Adam's Curse provokes a shocking debate on the nature of sexual reproduction.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2003

  $3.31

  Genetically speaking, the big difference between men and women is that where women have two X chromosomes, men have one X and one Y. It is surprising that one chromosome difference out of our total of 26 can have such an important consequence, but it does. Is this relatively small genetic variance really sufficient to explain the differences between the sexes, not just the physical but the psychological, social, even cultural? Drawing on his own work at the forefront of modern genetics and the exciting theories of evolutionary biology, Bryan Sykes takes us on a fascinating exploration into the science of sex and gender, and takes a scientific look at what makes men tick. From the most basic questions - why are there only two sexes in humans? Why is there sex at all? - to an examination of maleness - is there a genetic cause for men's promiscuity? Is there such a thing as the male homosexual gene? Can science offer an explanation for the rise of patriarchal society? Sykes's conclusions will surprise some people and are bound to cause controversy. His own research has shown that the all-important male Y chromosome is getting smaller. As the generations pass the female X chromosome is taking over. It is cannibalising parts of the Y chromosome. Women are winning the evolutionary battle of the sexes. His conclusion is that men, slowly but surely, are headed for extinction.