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908 reviews for:
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
Walter Isaacson
4.16 AVERAGE
908 reviews for:
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
Walter Isaacson
4.16 AVERAGE
As THE BIG SHORT did with complex financial schemes, THE CODE BREAKER brings complex scientific ideas and terminology to the masses and breaks them down into digestible knowledge -- in a thrilling tale.
As Bill & Ted would say, this is a most excellent science adventure! Ostensibly a biography of Jennifer Doudna, it is actually more of a multi-biography with Doudna as the axis or center. I must admit that I had an unfair advantage over many readers in that I was already familiar with Doudna and Charpentier before they won The Nobel Prize. That said, and perhaps because of that, I didn't find the vast cast of characters off-putting or confusing. The actual CRISPR technique I will always have trouble visualizing, but that's certainly not Isaacson's fault or Doudna's fault. Isaacson is very accessible and easy to follow, and I think he's done an extraordinary job of giving the "supporting cast" their due. He also was able to extend the narrative forward into "The Plague Year" and give us an idea how mRNA vaccines work, and how they were able to be developed so rapidly. All in all, a really good book about some difficult concepts in science and the not-always-merry band of scientists who came up with them.
A Scientific and Philosophical Thriller
Not ever what it seems, and clearly not the book that the author began, this is a thriller for our times—this time—that delivers on the science, the mystery, the ethics and the philosophy. Isaacson is the consummate observer, but unlike say, Tracy Kidder, (whom I also adore) he seems to truly know the subject matter he documents and observes. A very smart man writing about very smart people in a way even I can grasp,easily.
Not ever what it seems, and clearly not the book that the author began, this is a thriller for our times—this time—that delivers on the science, the mystery, the ethics and the philosophy. Isaacson is the consummate observer, but unlike say, Tracy Kidder, (whom I also adore) he seems to truly know the subject matter he documents and observes. A very smart man writing about very smart people in a way even I can grasp,easily.
I found this really interesting. As a primary care doc, I had heard of "CRISPR" when scanning journal updates and things but hadn't really delved into it as it's not in my normal field of practice...though having treated sickle cell anemia over my 20+ career the information about clinical trials showing the potential for this to cure that disease (and end the intense, unpredictable suffering it causes) moved me.
I also appreciated that the author did dip their toes into the ethical side of gene-editing therapy. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this myself. However, I do feel the pandemic brought to light the general lack of science knowledge in the public as a whole, and that needs to be improved so that the discussions of this (or any new medical technology) can be based on a stronger groundwork of understanding the science. Our current social media culture tends toward grabbing bits of information out of context or without explanation, followed by assumptions and leaps of logic that don't make sense, instead of a calm consideration of the facts.
I also appreciated that the author did dip their toes into the ethical side of gene-editing therapy. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this myself. However, I do feel the pandemic brought to light the general lack of science knowledge in the public as a whole, and that needs to be improved so that the discussions of this (or any new medical technology) can be based on a stronger groundwork of understanding the science. Our current social media culture tends toward grabbing bits of information out of context or without explanation, followed by assumptions and leaps of logic that don't make sense, instead of a calm consideration of the facts.
The book is very long and somewhat repetitive, but it shines a light on the decade of RNA research that went into coming up with the coronavirus vaccine. It also explains how RNA is going to help us fight and possibly cure other diseases and the ethical questions we need to be asking as a result.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A monumentally complex tale made accessible through Isaacson's thorough research, clear prose, and the compelling central figure of Jennifer Doudna, the scientist whose team discovered how RNA can be used to edit genes. More than just compiling a timeline of Doudna's career and achievements, Isaacson directly addresses the ethical concerns of these groundbreaking discoveries (which Doudna and many scientists share), and as result the book's tone is one of both wonder and caution, the main theme a celebration of curiosity and an advocacy to responsibly pursue where such inquiries may lead.
Excellent nonfiction about the life of Doudna, and others who researched and developed processes for gene editing. Author makes the science understandable to nonscientist readers as he reviews the history of working with genes, the collaboration and competition of those involved in the studies and development of therapies, tests, and discussions of uses of gene editing--medically, scientifically, ethically.
p71 Yoshizumi Ishino's discovery of five segments of DNA that were identical to each others, and Francisco Mojica's research into discovering the function of these repeated sequences. p74 He eventually realized that the spacer segments matched those of viruses that attached that bacteria.
p75 There are a trillion phages (viruses that attack bacteria) for every grain of sand, and more than all organisms, including bacteria, combined.
p90 There is "an iterative dance among basic scientists, practical inventors, and business leaders."
p102 Doudna wanted "to tie her research to the creation of practical new tools and companies that could commercialize them..."
p106 Need to understand both the what Cas9, a CRISPR-associated protein, did (biochemistry) , and then the how which meant seeing the structure to explain how it operates (structural biology).
p117 At the end of WWII Vannevar Bush believed unlike tht atomic bomb project, government should not build big research labs, but instead should fund universities and corporate labs.
p124 Core of CRISPR system: small snippet of RNA as guide and an enzyme that acts as scissors
p289 & fwd- ongoing discussions of use (or not) of germline/inheritable editing and gene therapies
p437 "The plague year of 2020 is liking to be remembered as the time when these traditional vaccines began to be supplanted by genetic vaccines."
p447 "The invention of easily reprogrammable RNA vaccines was a lightning-fast triumph of human ingenuity, but it was based on decades of curiosity-driven research into one of the most fundamental aspects of life on planet earth: how genes encoded by DNA are transcribed into snippets of RNA that tell cells what proteins to assemble. Likewise, CRISPR gene-editing technology came from understanding the way that bacteria use snippets of RNA to guide enzymes to chop up dangerous viruses. Great inventions come from understanding basic science. Nature is beautiful that way."
p449 "The long-range solution to our fight against viruses is the same as the one bacteria found: using CRISPR to guide a scissors-like enzyme to chop up the genetic material of a virus, without having to enlist the patient's immune system."
p71 Yoshizumi Ishino's discovery of five segments of DNA that were identical to each others, and Francisco Mojica's research into discovering the function of these repeated sequences. p74 He eventually realized that the spacer segments matched those of viruses that attached that bacteria.
p75 There are a trillion phages (viruses that attack bacteria) for every grain of sand, and more than all organisms, including bacteria, combined.
p90 There is "an iterative dance among basic scientists, practical inventors, and business leaders."
p102 Doudna wanted "to tie her research to the creation of practical new tools and companies that could commercialize them..."
p106 Need to understand both the what Cas9, a CRISPR-associated protein, did (biochemistry) , and then the how which meant seeing the structure to explain how it operates (structural biology).
p117 At the end of WWII Vannevar Bush believed unlike tht atomic bomb project, government should not build big research labs, but instead should fund universities and corporate labs.
p124 Core of CRISPR system: small snippet of RNA as guide and an enzyme that acts as scissors
p289 & fwd- ongoing discussions of use (or not) of germline/inheritable editing and gene therapies
p437 "The plague year of 2020 is liking to be remembered as the time when these traditional vaccines began to be supplanted by genetic vaccines."
p447 "The invention of easily reprogrammable RNA vaccines was a lightning-fast triumph of human ingenuity, but it was based on decades of curiosity-driven research into one of the most fundamental aspects of life on planet earth: how genes encoded by DNA are transcribed into snippets of RNA that tell cells what proteins to assemble. Likewise, CRISPR gene-editing technology came from understanding the way that bacteria use snippets of RNA to guide enzymes to chop up dangerous viruses. Great inventions come from understanding basic science. Nature is beautiful that way."
p449 "The long-range solution to our fight against viruses is the same as the one bacteria found: using CRISPR to guide a scissors-like enzyme to chop up the genetic material of a virus, without having to enlist the patient's immune system."
Walter Isaacson's new biography, "The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race" was an excellent primer on the latest developments as well as the history of genetics and recent advances in biology and medical research involving changes in genetics to fight disease.
While the book centers around Jennifer Doudna, the pioneering scientist who was at the forefront of research developing the gene editing tool known as CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats). CRISPR was discovered in bacteria as a tool for fighting viruses used to cut and edit DNA. The practical applications in every living organism has been a game changer in human biology as well as the medical field. The technology was used to develop an mRNA vaccine by Moderna and Pfizer to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Besides the heady but understandable presentation of the theory and application of the science, Isaacson uses a large portion of the book to discuss the next great hurdle, the ethical, moral and social implications of "germ-line" gene editing, that is making permanent changes to the human gene pool, giving genes to human embryos that can be passed from one generation to the next. It is a very fascinating topic to think about and discuss. This discussion is happening right now in the 21st century deciding what the future of the human race will be as advances continue.
For all interested in both learning about the technology and its history as well as becoming more informed about the various ethical questions, moral implications and social challenges about moving forward, this book is a must-read.
While the book centers around Jennifer Doudna, the pioneering scientist who was at the forefront of research developing the gene editing tool known as CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats). CRISPR was discovered in bacteria as a tool for fighting viruses used to cut and edit DNA. The practical applications in every living organism has been a game changer in human biology as well as the medical field. The technology was used to develop an mRNA vaccine by Moderna and Pfizer to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Besides the heady but understandable presentation of the theory and application of the science, Isaacson uses a large portion of the book to discuss the next great hurdle, the ethical, moral and social implications of "germ-line" gene editing, that is making permanent changes to the human gene pool, giving genes to human embryos that can be passed from one generation to the next. It is a very fascinating topic to think about and discuss. This discussion is happening right now in the 21st century deciding what the future of the human race will be as advances continue.
For all interested in both learning about the technology and its history as well as becoming more informed about the various ethical questions, moral implications and social challenges about moving forward, this book is a must-read.
I enjoyed this book. Really.
That said, while the story was compelling, a few things would not stop getting in the way.
Isaacson's insistence that his pal Lander's misogyny is just him being misunderstood, when it is clearly what it is by most accounts.
All the time spent trying to cover for Zhang constantly misreading the room, whichever room that is.
I mean, even as a sympathetic voice, both shone through.
And then there is the insertion of the author as part of the story, which I guess he's entitled to, but the pop psychology ethics discussion chapters really took me out of the story.
That said, while the story was compelling, a few things would not stop getting in the way.
Isaacson's insistence that his pal Lander's misogyny is just him being misunderstood, when it is clearly what it is by most accounts.
All the time spent trying to cover for Zhang constantly misreading the room, whichever room that is.
I mean, even as a sympathetic voice, both shone through.
And then there is the insertion of the author as part of the story, which I guess he's entitled to, but the pop psychology ethics discussion chapters really took me out of the story.