Cognition

Has intelligence reached its peak with humans, or is it just taking off? WINNER – 2019 Independent Press Award WINNER – 2019 National Indie Excellence AwardWINNER – 2019 Cygnus Book AwardsFINALIST – 2019 International Book AwardsFINALIST – 2019 The Wishing Shelf Book AwardsFINALIST – 2019 CIPA EVVY Awards In a near future, the genetics of intellect are finally within reach. Research suggests how to harness brain evolution, launching a hunt for a missing link–one that would allow to design humans with skills that prodigies of old could only dream of. A newborn is torn from its mother and kept hidden for years, to grow up unaware of the pivotal role he will play in the global pursuit for the unique traits he possesses. Germline engineering and biological enhancement have become routine, and ancient doubts have emerged in new guises: Who are we? Is there a purpose to life? Why is there so much suffering? When faith and science fail to answer these questions, personal greed and national interest quickly fill the void. But gene selection is expensive, and many are excluded from its benefits. The stage is set for tribalism and social discontent on a scale without precedent, and those caught in the fray, whether by choice or by chance, must play roles not always to their liking in the struggle of all creatures against the arbitrariness of existence.