Junk DNA: A Journey Through the Dark Matter of the Genome

Nessa Carey explores the portion of human DNA long dismissed as non-functional. For decades after DNA's structure was identified, scientists focused exclusively on genes—regions that code for proteins. The remaining 98 percent of the human genome was labeled "junk" and considered purposeless. Recent research has revealed that variations and modulations within this junk DNA are connected to several difficult-to-treat diseases. These discoveries have opened new avenues for innovative research and treatment approaches. Junk DNA plays significant roles in controlling gene expression, from fine-tuning individual genes to deactivating entire chromosomes. This has prompted scientists to reconsider the definition of "gene" itself and sparked debate over whether this genomic material is fundamental to human biological complexity. Drawing on interviews with leading scientific investigators in Europe and North America, Carey provides an introduction to junk DNA and its involvement in genetic diseases, viral infections, sex determination in mammals, and evolution. The book addresses the history and ongoing controversies surrounding this rapidly evolving field.