I wanted to make the genetics in my book at least realistic to be a bit believable, so I met with a Biology Professor who works with my husband Adam. Sebastian was kind enough to sit down with me for two hours and discuss what could and what couldn’t happen and how it all works. I don’t think I have taken biology since high school, and they know a lot more about genetics now.

“Natural Selection throws everything against the wall to see what sticks. When there are errors, caused by mutation, the healthy parent’s genes see that they do not gain sway. But when they exist on both sides, or there is in-breeding these problems become more common. As in the case with the British Royal Family. Ashkenazi Jews are a limited mating group, though not as much so as the royal family.” So, diseases like Crohn’s disease and Bipolar illness, which are prevalent in my family, can become more common.

“Natural selection- greed, or paranoia may be atavistic. They were selected by nature for an environment that existed in the past then, it changed and these traits become mental illnesses.”

“Conspiracy theories today may be linked to early knowledge that the next tribe over tried to poison your dinner. Characteristics that were adaptive in the past are now detrimental. “

Fascinating