Name: A Crack in Creation
Rating: 4 (10 reviews)
ISBN: 9780544716940

Samuel H. Sternberg

Jennifer A. Doudna

Two Berkeley scientists explore the potential of a revolutionary genetics technology capable of easily and affordably manipulating DNA in human embryos to prevent specific diseases, addressing key concerns about related ethical and societal repercussions.

Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution

A Crack in Creation

BY THE WINNER OF THE 2020 NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY | Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize “A powerful mix of science and ethics . . . This book is required reading for every concerned citizen—the material it covers should be discussed in schools, colleges, and universities throughout the country.”— New York Review of Books Not since the atomic bomb has a technology so alarmed its inventors that they warned the world about its use. That is, until 2015, when biologist Jennifer Doudna called for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the gene-editing tool CRISPR—a revolutionary new technology that she helped create—to make heritable changes in human embryos. The cheapest, simplest, most effective way of manipulating DNA ever known, CRISPR may well give us the cure to HIV, genetic diseases, and some cancers. Yet even the tiniest changes to DNA could have myriad, unforeseeable consequences, to say nothing of the ethical and societal repercussions of intentionally mutating embryos to create “better” humans. Writing with fellow researcher Sam Sternberg, Doudna—who has since won the Nobel Prize for her CRISPR research—shares the thrilling story of her discovery and describes the enormous responsibility that comes with the power to rewrite the code of life. “The future is in our hands as never before, and this book explains the stakes like no other.” — George Lucas “An invaluable account . . . We owe Doudna several times over.” — Guardian

A Crack In Creation

Keven Wang

Yasser Yahia

As always with great power comes great responsibility.

Personally I haven't completely made my mind on whether we should use this on humans or not. By just reviewing our history of tech usages we are talented abusive creatures and gene editing is something that could easily be abused by limiting it's benefits to wealthy individuals or by customizing our unborn children according to our own "taste"!

Jeni Enjaian

I almost put this book down shortly after I started reading the book, not due to the quality of the book, rather due to the sophisticated nature of the material presented within. While I love science, I have rudimentary training in science compared to the authors and others in the scientific field. I thought that, perhaps, I would find myself overwhelmed by the content and not derive any pleasure or satisfaction from reading the book. Out of sheer stubbornness, I continued reading. I do not often find a book too difficult in subject matter for myself to read, thus I made myself rise to the challenge. I am so glad that I did.
While at times, I had to slow down and reread sections, I became fascinated with the topic and learned so much about gene editing and the CRISPR technique. Prior to reading the book, I thought that the CRISPR technique was something mechanical or artificial to the gene having only heard of CRISPR on Science Friday and a few other podcasts and articles. I learned so much from this book and I highly recommend it. Be prepared for a challenge!

A Crack in Creation Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution

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