BellaOnline Forums Education Biology The Seven Daughters of Eve

Hi all.

I just read the book, The Seven Daughters of Eve, and must say, it is an enlightening book.
If you'd like to read the review, click here:
The Seven Daughters of Eve

If you've read the book, I'd love to get a discussion started...What part did you find the most shocking? Interesting? Hard to believe?

Have a good one!
~Karen

Hi! My father loaned me the book just today... I am only on pg 76 right now, but I'm completely engrossed! Just wanted to let you know so you wouldn't go on thinking no one else looking at this forum knew what in the world you were talking about. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

So far, the most interesting parts to me have been the explanations of how mitochrondial DNA came about (the whole symbiotic entrapment, wow!) and how the mutations work.

And the hamster thing... weird!!

I haven't gotten to the seven daughters yet, but I can already tell I'm going to be desperately wondering which one is mine! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hope you're still checking this. I'd love to chat and share observations!

I'm glad that you liked the book. Before reading it, I knew that DNA research was making great leaps and bounds, but I didn't know any of the details.

I think this book just shows that we have a lot yet to learn about DNA, our genetic history and science in general!

~Karen

Karen,

I just finished the book. It was excellent! I wished that I were from Europe so I could feel more of a personal connection to it.

I'd say I wished that it were about Americans, but, well... haha. Where are WE from? <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> My parents are both first generation Americans, each born on a different continent.

What I found most interesting: even with all the mixing from all over the world that is possible today, there's still just ONE maternal line for each of us. And I'm a curious, curious cat. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Does anyone out there know what are the odds and cost are of getting this kind of DNA testing done? (Just curious... I'm not rich or anything, hehe.)

The most shocking: Some of the "funnest" parts of the book were just little things, like the hamster trivia, the butler related to the Cheddar Man, etc.

What were your favorite parts?
Ceci

hehe, look what I found:

http://www.genetestlabs.com/spedntst/mitochondrialdna.htm

* Free Shipping (2-5)
* Free Sample Collection Materials
* Free Technical Support
* Test results will be available within 5-7 business days of receipt of all samples
* The minimum accuracy on a mitochondrial DNA analysis is greater than or equal to 99.99% specificity for inclusion and 0% for exclusion
* $650
* each additional party $150

Now, I doubt that includes ancestral analysis. hee hee.

I doubt it too...perhaps the author has some sort of website...I would think with Europe "mapped out" they might be thinking about branching out to see how pure those seven lines have stayed within the context of our little melting pot country.

I liked the whole debate over the book "Kon Tiki" and how mitichondrial DNA proved the author wrong on his theory. Plus it was funny to see the author "win" against all the stodgy old-farts that attacked his every theory until they just knew they couldn't win!
~Karen

Wow, this discussion makes me want to read the book. I'll have to get myself a copy...