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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Although sold as a biography of Jennifer Doudna, it really is a biography of the [still-very-young] CRISPR and gene editing technology. The book goes all the way back to touch upon Watson and Crick's discovery of DNA (along with Rosalind Franklin), and brings us up to relatively present (2020) applications of CRISPR. Isaacson does an excellent job of explaining CRISPR concepts and discoveries, and I found myself getting excited about all the cool ways these molecules work. I wanted to learn more! (Though, to be fair, I did get a minor in biochem in college). I appreciated how there were actually a series of mini-biographies of many of the major players in CRISPR, such as Zhang, Charpentier, and He Jiankui of "crispr baby" notoriety. Other themes were the interplay between academia and industry, and the cutthroat nature of "scooping" and "credit" in science. The book thus acknowledges the diverse players, competitors and collaborators that lead to discoveries in modern science. The first 2/3rds focused on these scientific processes and characters, but the last third is more about ethics and COVID19. While relevant, it felt too broad of a brush (I could read another book about bioethics, if that was my interest) and stopping the CRISPR story at COVID19 applications felt too abrupt. This "biography" will undoubtedly need an update as Doudna, and CRISPR's, story are still so young and constantly evolving.
Ha sido una fascinante lectura que me ha dejado cautivado y deseoso de saber más sobre el tema. Posiblemente la edición genética es la próxima gran revolución y también cabe la posibilidad de que, tal como pasó con la computadora personal, la democratización de CRISPR y su acercamiento a la gente común lleve a acelerar sus aplicaciones y usos. Desafortunadamente se cierne sobre estos avances el peligro de alterar de forma irreversible lo que somos e incluso de extinguirnos, por lo que debemos aprender a ir con cuidado.
honestly, i didnt finish this. waaay too in depth of biology for me. need to find a podcast about this instead of a 15 hour book
This book was at once interesting and dry. I thought it was relatively well-written, but I just wasn't excited about it? Most of it was actually NOT about Covid-19, so I don't even think that it's because I'm reading it so "late."
About three hundred pages in, the author suddenly became really repetitive (one of my pet peeves with most non-fiction books) and heavy-handed on the moral soapboxing. I admit to more or less skimming the last 150 pages or so. I just was ready to be done.
About three hundred pages in, the author suddenly became really repetitive (one of my pet peeves with most non-fiction books) and heavy-handed on the moral soapboxing. I admit to more or less skimming the last 150 pages or so. I just was ready to be done.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Beautiful and thought-provoking, this book encapsulates the essence of curiosity-driven research. Although it centers on Jennifer Doudna, it also acknowledges major contributors in the field of genome biology, such as Emmanuelle Charpentier, Feng Zhang, George Church, Eric Lander, and the indispensable role of postdocs and PhD students in scientific advancement. I appreciated Walter Isaacson's honesty about James Watson, as he does not overtly glorify him as a person but does respect his scientific contributions. Finding such balance is challenging. He achieves this balance in describing all contributors, portraying them as complex, imperfect beings who are nonetheless remarkable innovators. Isaacson also raises profound questions about the future of humanity in the context of gene editing, especially regarding its potential impact on the social divide and the very nature of human identity. Reading this book was an enriching experience; I found myself yearning to be part of the narrative with each page. I will definitely return to it several times.
First half was good. 2nd half was not good about the ethics of gene editing.
Great read - loved the mix of personal journeys and accurate depictions of scientific discoveries. Also triggered a lot of internal ethical conflict that I’m sure I’ll continue to mull over as time goes on.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Very good book that inspired the crap out of me. But sometimes it came across as repetitive, and it lagged a bit; however, that could be due to how detailed and specific this book is.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Wonderfully engaging and in depth exploration of a scientist and all the many many other innovators who helped her along the way.