
Simon Mawer’s Mendel’s Dwarf examines the ethical implications of genetic research through a fictional account of the discovery of the achondroplasia (dwarfism) gene. The title character is Dr. Benedict Lambert, a geneticist who also happens to be a dwarf and a distant nephew of the father of genetics, Gregor Mendel.
The novel skips between Ben’s research and Mendel’s work. The historical part of the novel was much more interesting to me, being the history of my field. The modern sections spent a little to much time focused on the one part of Ben that was “normal-sized,” and as a result, Ben isn’t a likable or sympathetic character. The actions in his personal life overshadow his work and accomplishments.
The novel did give me the opportunity to think about my field in a new way. I had heard before the Darwin never read Mendel, but it hadn’t occurred to me that Mendel probably ready Darwin. On the Origin of Species was a famous book, not just in England but likely on the continent as well, so it makes sense that Mendel had access to it, given his interests.
Mention is made of the Russian geneticists who were prohibited from studying Mendel by the state, whose policy considered nurture above all, with no place for the possibility that some traits might be inherited. Those scientists who refused to toe the party line were either shot, imprisoned, or exiled to Siberia, some for upwards of 15 years. Scientists in the US have faced similar censorship in recent years, though not yet with such drastic results.
Mawer also draws parallels between the eugenics movement at the turn of the 20th century and modern “family-balancing” techniques, allowing parents to choose the sex of their offspring. He sees a slippery slope here, with genetic counseling being not so different from “purifying the genome” through ethnic cleansing. As a geneticist, I’m not sure I agree. But it’s definitely an issue worth examining, as we are only just beginning to consider the ethical implications of Mendel’s work.
Overall, the book is interesting, though it may make the reader uncomfortable. I think that, ultimately, may be Mawer’s intent.