TWiEVO 126: Beyond Inheritance with Roxanne Khamsi

Humans aren't just passive vessels of inherited DNA—our bodies are dynamic ecosystems where mutations accumulate in individual cells throughout life, reshaping our biology in ways that challenge the traditional view of evolution. In her book *Beyond Inheritance*, science journalist Roxanne Khamsi reveals that somatic mutations—genetic changes in non-reproductive cells—drive not only cancer but also heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and even autoimmune disorders. These mutations aren’t random errors; they’re part of a Darwinian struggle within our own bodies, where cells compete, adapt, and sometimes correct their own flaws. Khamsi weaves this science with vivid historical stories—from Wilhelm Roux’s forgotten 1881 theory of cellular evolution to the real-life 'autocorrect' of a skin disease—showing that mutation is not just a cause of disease but a fundamental engine of life. The book reframes our identity: we are not single individuals, but vast, ever-changing communities of cells, shaped by both internal chaos and external choices like smoking or vaccination. Most provocatively, Khamsi argues that we are already shaping our genetic destinies—through behavior, medicine, and gene therapy—and that embracing mutation, not fearing it, may be key to surviving the next pandemic, aging, and the future of human evolution.