Transworld has landed a ‘myth-busting’ book about DNA by Professor Turi King, best known for her work identifying Richard III from the remains discovered under a Leicester city car park.
Susanna Wadeson, publisher, bought UK and Commonwealth rights, including Canada, to DNA: Why Genetics Matters from Michael Alcock at Johnson & Alcock. It will be published by Doubleday in spring 2024. Canadian rights have been snapped up by Amy Black at Doubleday Canada.
The publisher said the book will ‘provide a window into the world of modern genetics, showing how it informs so many areas of 21st-Century life.’ It will go through 12 key cases that have changed the world, from the first DNA fingerprinting case which saw a young boy being reunited with his family after it was torn apart by immigration officials to the 2018 Golden State Killer case which has opened the floodgates for police cold cases.
Professor King said: ‘My field of genetics forms a part of our everyday culture from regular storylines in films and television shows, to modern policing and even to being a part of dating sites. I’m fascinated by the societal interest in genetics and how the understanding, and misunderstanding, of genetics became so commonplace. I’m rather passionate about science communication and can’t wait to explain modern genetics and how it informs our daily lives in the 21st Century.’
Wadeson added: ‘I am so excited to be working with Turi. This book will be fascinating to anyone interested in genetics but also archaeology, general history, geography and forensics; and, of course, in personal and family history. I think perhaps I’m particularly intrigued by the new science of epigenetics. It may not just be their genetic code that our parents pass on to us – their life events can also have an impact on our life span. Turi promises to take us on an investigative journey through all aspects of her work and I can’t wait to travel with her.’
Black commented: ‘We are thrilled to be bringing to Canadian readers Turi King’s riveting book about the multitude of ways genetics has a bearing on our world. Turi’s deep expertise on modern genetics as well as her uncommon ability to make complex, wide-ranging subject matter accessible to us all will combine into a fascinating, enlivening account that is sure to claim a broad readership.’