9/18/25

Mendel G. Cat's DNA Book is Now Available

 Photograph of the children’s book “Yay Yay DNA! Do You Wonder What Makes You You? with Mendel G. Cat.” Shown is the cover and several open pages.

Now available at most online bookstores in paperback and hardbound editions!

The book is a fun little introduction to genomic science for readers six and up featuring Mendel G. Cat. (A lot of adults might benefit from reading it too.)

Every $1 I make off the book (which, literally is about the royalty per copy) will go to fund my hereditary cancer advocacy work and to help me to provide free copies of the book to classrooms, school libraries, and nonprofits.

Go to www.MendelCat.com

Paperback ISBN 979-8-218-77999-3 
Hardbound: ISBN 979-8-218-79986-1
(Probably will not be available in local bookstores for a while, unfortunately. But they can order it for you.)

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9/16/25

Previvor Day Poster

 Previvor Day Poster graphic. Previvor Day is a celebration of the courage and strength of those at higher risk for cancer due to certain inherited genetic mutations. Being a previvor does not mean you will get cancer. Previvorship is about being informed, proactive, and monitored regularly to significantly reduce the risk. Knowledge is power. Learn more about hereditary cancer at www.genetionary.org

 Previvor Day is still a couple weeks away, but I want to release this now to help raise awareness and understanding of previvorship ahead of the day. As a parent of a previvor, I celebrate Previvor Day as well as all the science that is giving my child a chance at full life cancer-free. 

This poster can be downloaded at: https://genetionary.org/poster/index.html 

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9/8/25

First Contact Revisited

 Cartoon with aliens in spaceships and humans standing in a group: “Attention human in habitants of what you call Earth, We have watched you for millennia and are so now so deeply disappointed to the point we have given up on you ever becoming contributing members of the universe. This short visit will be our last. Your arrogance is annoying and your stupidity overwhelming. You think you are so smart but yet you let ignorance, superstition, and imaginary deities rule your judgement. The lack of compassion for your fellow inhabitants is utterly depressing. For ages and ages you have killed millions of other humans just because they are different or don’t agree with your particular philosophy. And you continue to squander your small planet’s limited resources while destroying the natural beauty of its flora, fauna, and geography with no regard for future inhabitants. should you ever evolve to become peaceful, intelligent beings before you destroy your world we might welcome you back into our cosmic family. Sincerely, The Aliens. P.S. We never probed your butts.” One male figure is saying, “It’s a government conspiracy!” Another is saying, “Damn ugly foreigners!” Another is saying, “Kill em!” Another is saying, “I wonder is the TV gets sports?” A women character is saying, “World is ending!!” Another male figure is saying, “Did too probe my butt!” Copyright Mark A. Hicks. www.MARKiX.net. 2016

This cartoon seems more relevant than ever, so I thought I'd repost it.

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9/2/25

Yay Yay DNA!

“Yay Yay DNA! Do You Wonder What Makes You You? With Mendel G. Cat.” Art and words by Mark A. Hicks Text: Coming soon to bookstores everywhere . . . . . . a little introduction to genomic science for little readers.
“Explain it to me like I’m six.” 

That’s a quote from an adult. And it was the inspiration for this book.

In 2018 I became a hereditary cancer advocate my child and late wife both tested positive for the same inherited pathogenic genetic mutation. As a hereditary cancer advocate, I have found that, sadly, many adults lack a basic understanding of basic genomic science. So I created something to introduce little ones to the subject so that hopefully when they grow up, they won’t be totally clueless.

Join Mendel G. Cat and learn more about the tiny thin thread that connects all life. Coming soon.

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