A Crack in Creation: The New Power to Control Evolution

Jennifer Doudna is the pioneer of gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 tools, for which she received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2020. A Crack in Creation is her compelling account of her work in the discovery of one of the most monumental breakthroughs in biology – the technology using CRISPR-Cas9 to precisely edit genomes. She achieves this with detailed explanations of the science with personal reflections on the potential beneficial and dangerous impacts of arguably the most significant scientific development of the century. I was completely absorbed by this work. The science is fascinating, her personal reflections are most endearing, and her thoughts for the future are exhilarating and frightening. Firstly, Doudna explains how scientists working on yogurt production had discovered that CRISPR was involved bacterial defence against viruses. Viruses that attack bacteria, known as phages, can kill yogurt bacteria, causing huge financial losses. Then she describes her long and complex journey putting all the pieces together to create a methodology to edit genes with CRISPR-Cas9 tools. The science is technical but her detailed explanations are clear and succinct, and aided by many excellent diagrams. Doudna then addresses the potential benefits and implications of this epoch-making discovery. CRISPR is now being used in research laboratories around the world for biomedical research, leading to more discoveries for drug targets and the mechanisms of diseases. And CRISPR also has the potential to clinically target genes to act directly as a treatment and cure of diseases such as cancer and sickle cell anaemia, in addition to inherited diseases. Realizing that the power of CRISPR-Cas9 enabled the editing of the human genome, Doudna now speaks around the world about CRISPR’s and its implications for the future of biology. She especially highlights the risks to the evolution of humanity if unregulated editing of embryonic genes is allowed, resulting in the passing down of altered genomes through generations, introducing lasting changes to the population. This book is inspirational. Anyone considering a career in science should read it to understand what hard work, determination and persistence can achieve.

Fascinating subject described in an easy to understand manner. Great read!

The subject itself is fascinating, and the presentation and description are excellent. However, the book could be improved in terms of paper quality and print.

Interesting, well written without too much tech jargon. Enjoyed reading it and found out more behind the topic and those involved in development from various countries.

I bought this for my 89year old father. who was thrilled to be reading something so new and hot of the press. I was kept up to speed with it all as he was reading. Firstly he found it easy to read even though it is a highly technical subject it was written with the layman in mind. The content enthralled him, amazed him and scared him. He says that everyone should read this as it will affect the generations to come, it is essential reading. Murray.

A great story of this important discovery in genetic engineering. Just a little too much detail about the people involved for my liking.

Never having studied biology this was a "difficult" read for me but utterly absorbing. Jennifer Doudna writes clearly and helps the amateur to understand this new breakthrough in science. Her last chapters set out very clearly the ethical issues, the tremendous possibilities for the future but also the risks. She is worried about these risks and points out that we all - scientists and laypeople alike - have a responsibility for the scientific process and its results.Should be a mandatory read in 6th forms.

A readable and authoritative description of CRISPR, written by one of the discoverers of the system. The first half describes the discovery and biochemistry, while the second half deals with the societal and ethical implications of this ground breaking discovery. Would rate five stars but the diagrams let it down a bit.

para mi marido

It is OK for those who really like Bio TECH stuff.. a journey on finding CASPER technology.

Dopo aver letto il libro di Anna Meldolesi intitolato 'E l'uomo creò l'uomo', non ho potuto fare a meno di acquistare 'A crack in creation', alla ricerca di informazioni aggiuntive riguardo la nuova piattaforma di gene editing CRISPR/Cas9. La lettura si è rivelata estremamente piacevole, merito a mio parere dell'organizzazione del libro, suddiviso in due parti principali: una dedicata a tutti gli step che hanno portato alla scoperta di CRISPR e un'altra al modo in cui la piattaforma è già stata o potrà essere utilizzata in futuro per vari scopi, che vanno dalla cura di malattie genetiche alla produzione di piante da coltura ingegnerizzate al fine di evitare l'uso di prodotti chimici. Personalmente ho molto apprezzato lo sforzo degli autori di includere nella prima parte del libro tutti i dettagli tecnici che ritengo siano sufficienti per comprendere in maniera esaustiva il funzionamento di CRISPR (da laureato in biologia non ho avuto alcun problema). Altra cosa che ho apprezzato è il modo in cui l'argomento CRISPR venga trattato tenendo conto accuratamente del percorso intrapreso della manipolazione del DNA, così che il lettore riesca a farsi un'idea del modo in cui l'uomo fosse (e non fosse) capace di modificare il DNA in era pre-CRISPR. Indubbiamente interessante inoltre la moltitudine di questioni etiche relative agli utilizzi di CRISPR che gli autori provano ad affrontare nelle battute conclusive del libro. Ultima nota riguardo la scrittura. Da lettore abituale di testi in inglese posso dire di non aver avuto problemi nell'affrontare questo testo, scritto in maniera chiara e tutt'altro che ambigua. Una lettura che nel complesso ritengo necessaria per chiunque voglia capire che cos'è il sistema CRISPR e da dove viene, oltre alle sue incredibili potenzialità e promesse.

A great book written by an intelligent author.

Çok iyi