This book investigates the core question of why the rapid advancement of modern science has failed to provide a comprehensive explanation for the unique nature of human consciousness and individuality. James Le Fanu, a physician and medical journalist, utilizes a critical analysis of the Human Genome Project and contemporary biological research to argue that the reductionist approach of modern science is insufficient to account for the complexity of human existence. He posits that the 'mystery of ourselves' remains intact despite the mapping of our genetic code, suggesting that there are fundamental aspects of human life that transcend purely mechanical or biological descriptions.

The text offers a provocative, skeptical look at the limits of biological determinism, appealing to readers interested in the intersection of science and philosophy. Its arguments provide a counter-narrative to the prevailing consensus of genetic reductionism, framing the human experience as something that remains fundamentally beyond the reach of current scientific methodology.