The passage reviews two books: "The Triple Helix: Gene, Organism, and Environment" by Richard Lewontin and "Engineering the Germline: An Exploration of the Science and Ethics of Altering the Genes we Pass on to Our Children," edited by Gregory Stock and John Campbell. **"The Triple Helix"** by Richard Lewontin is praised for its clear and compelling synthesis of complex biological ideas. Lewontin emphasizes the multifaceted nature of biology, highlighting the interplay between genes, organisms, and their environment. He argues that biological understanding requires new methodologies to address complex problems and that grandiose aims to "compute" an organism are unfounded. The book is accessible and provides ample experimental evidence to support its arguments. **"Engineering the Germline"** is a compilation of essays exploring the science and ethics of altering the genes passed to future generations. The editors bring together opinions from eminent scientists, discussing the realities, safety, and ethical implications of germline engineering. The book highlights both the potential benefits, such as combating debilitating diseases, and the societal challenges it poses.The passage reviews two books: "The Triple Helix: Gene, Organism, and Environment" by Richard Lewontin and "Engineering the Germline: An Exploration of the Science and Ethics of Altering the Genes we Pass on to Our Children," edited by Gregory Stock and John Campbell. **"The Triple Helix"** by Richard Lewontin is praised for its clear and compelling synthesis of complex biological ideas. Lewontin emphasizes the multifaceted nature of biology, highlighting the interplay between genes, organisms, and their environment. He argues that biological understanding requires new methodologies to address complex problems and that grandiose aims to "compute" an organism are unfounded. The book is accessible and provides ample experimental evidence to support its arguments. **"Engineering the Germline"** is a compilation of essays exploring the science and ethics of altering the genes passed to future generations. The editors bring together opinions from eminent scientists, discussing the realities, safety, and ethical implications of germline engineering. The book highlights both the potential benefits, such as combating debilitating diseases, and the societal challenges it poses.