Read: (yes | maybe | no)

Beyond Genetics is a few short essays fluffed into a book. Everything about this book screams “move my consulting career” including:

• the stated mission to write Negroponte’s “Being Digital” for genomics
• forced introduction of cliche vocabulary like “geneware” and “genomic generation”
• rheumy calls for “ethics” and “oversight” —like some middle-manager who always suggests “further meetings” or “forming a committee”
• bombastic announcements like “gene therapy will be as common as aspirin in ten years” —like some overenthusiastic “sales consultant” behind an expo booth
• slovenly adherence to political correctness and unwelcome cultural and personal anecdotes —like some high school principle giving a speech. Perhaps half the text is dedicated to fluffing potentially problematic statements.

Some of the book I liked. For instance, McGee does a good job of discussing the gene patent debate. But this book was clearly written to sell in popular bookstores and boost McGee’s stature in a fledgling industry. As such, Glenn is controversial only enough to be noticed, and he strokes every political group in the genomic industry without assuming any thoughtful responsibility for his vision because “hey, it’s the future, right?” So if he’s wrong, this book will be safely forgotten without offending anyone, and that’s what’s already happening.

If you liked “The World is Flat,” you may like this book. Otherwise, let this one collect dust at the Barnes and Nobles.