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

Contact Your Elected Officials

BY THE WINNER OF THE 2020 NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRYย  |ย  Finalist for theย Los Angeles Timesย Book Prize

โ€œA powerful mix of science and ethics . . . A Crack in Creation is required reading for every concerned citizenโ€”the material it covers should be discussed in schools, colleges, and universities throughout the country.โ€โ€”ย New York Review of Booksย 

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 CRISPRโ€”a revolutionary new technology that she helped createโ€”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 โ€œbetterโ€ humans. Writing with fellow researcher Sam Sternberg, Doudnaโ€”who has since won the Nobel Prize for her CRISPR researchโ€”shares the thrilling story of her discovery and describes the enormous responsibility that comes with the power to rewrite the code of life.

โ€œThe future is in our hands as never before, and this book explains the stakes like no other.โ€ โ€” George Lucas

โ€œAn invaluable account . . . We owe Doudna several times over.โ€ โ€”ย Guardian

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JENNIFER A. DOUDNA, Ph.D. is a professor in the Chemistry and the Molecular and Cell Biology Departments at the University of California, Berkeley, investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and researcher in the Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She is internationally recognized as a leading expert on RNA-protein biochemistry, CRISPR biology, and genome engineering. She lives in the Bay Area.SAMUEL H. STERNBERG, Ph.D., is a biochemist and author of numerous high profile scientific publications on CRISPR technology. He is starting his own laboratory at Columbia University, as assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, beginning in 2018. He lives in New York City.

SAMUEL H. STERNBERG, Ph.D., is a biochemist and author of numerous high profile scientific publications on CRISPR technology. He is starting his own laboratory at Columbia University, as assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, beginning in 2018. He lives in New York City.

Review

Finalist for the L.A. Times Book Prize
One of Science News‘ “Favorite Books of the Year”

โ€œFascinating . . . When people refer to CRISPR now, they talk about wiping out disease, resurrecting woolly mammoths, and fashioning designer babies. Such implications fascinate and torment Doudna, and she writes about them movingly with Samuel Sternberg, a biochemist and former research colleague, in A Crack in Creation.โ€
โ€”Bloomberg Businessweek

โ€œThe first book on CRISPR to present a powerful mix of science and ethics . . . This book is required reading for every concerned citizenโ€”the material it covers should be discussed in schools, colleges, and universities throughout the country.โ€
โ€”New York Review of Books

“Fascinating . . . [A Crack in Creation] contribute[s] to a public understanding of CRISPR, explaining science in terms that are understandable for the general reader.”
โ€”Wall Street Journal

“[A Crack in Creation] opens with the stark observation that the revolution in gene editing launched by CRISPR ‘offers both the greatest promise and, arguably, the greatest peril for the future of humanity.’ The first half of the book is a history of CRISPRโ€™s development and a lucid explication of how it works. The authors describe the electrifying atmosphere of a laboratory at the front edge of discovery, while generously distributing credit to the legion of scientists who preceded Doudna and Chapentier or have carried their work forward. . . . The bookโ€™s second half is an examination of CRISPRโ€™s great potential to eliminate or cure disease and improve human existence in myriad ways, and of the perils it poses for humanityโ€™s future.”
โ€”Los Angeles Times

โ€œAn enthusiastic and definitely not dumbed-down account of gene manipulation that, unlike earlier methods, is precise and easy…an important book about a major scientific advance.โ€
โ€”Kirkus Reviews, STARRED

โ€œExcellent . . . The authors describe the biological mechanisms in a way that nonspecialists can appreciate.โ€
โ€”Publishers Weekly

“An essential start to educating the public . . . reveal[s] the complex, interlocking, and thoroughly international nature of todayโ€™s bioscience…CRISPR heralds a new era of massively increased human control over life, one that will affect every person on Earth, directly or indirectly, and much of the rest of our planetโ€™s biosphere. If humans are to have any chance of harnessing its benefits, avoiding its risks, and using it in ways consistent with our values and cultures, then we all โ€” not just the scientists, ethicists, and patent lawyers โ€” need to understand something about CRISPR and its implications. A Crack in Creation is a great place to start.”
โ€”Los Angeles Review of Books

A Crack in Creation chronicles the origin and potential application of CRISPR, the powerful new gene-editing technique that established Doudna as a household name in scientific circles. . . . You’ll find yourself pausing to plot your own CRISPR-inspired science projectโ€”or science fiction scenario.”
โ€”Science

“An invaluable account, by Doudna and Samuel Sternberg, of their role in the revolution that is genome editing…It is unusual to have a popular account of a great scientific breakthrough written by the protagonist, so soon after its discovery. Watsonโ€™s The Double Helix appeared 15 years after the work. We owe Doudna several times over โ€“ for her discovery, for her zeal to take it from the lab into the clinic, for her involvement in the ethical issues raised, for her public engagement work, and now for this book. Itโ€™s a fine weapon against the still far too large tribe of those who donโ€™t believe in the power of very small things.”
โ€”Guardian (UK)

โ€œA Crack in Creation is a powerful testament to the role of curiosity and tenacity in scientific research, and also an urgent plea from the celebrated biologist whose discovery enabled us to rewrite the code of life.  The future is in our hands as never before, and this book explains the stakes like no other.โ€
โ€”George Lucas, filmmaker

โ€œUrgent, riveting, and endlessly fascinating, A Crack in Creation is a journey through the past, present, and future of one of biologyโ€™s most significant discoveries. Combining deep historical perspectives, personal narrative, and scientific data, Doudna and Sternberg bring the story of CRISPR and โ€˜gene editingโ€™ alive with pointed honesty and clarity. This book is destined to become an instant classic. Read it and understand its implications if you want to understand our biological future.โ€
โ€”Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prizeโ€“winning author of The Gene and The Emperor of All Maladies

โ€œThe technology of gene editing will be the most important advance of our era, one that will create astonishing opportunities combined with frightening moral challenges. In the tradition of The Double Helix, one of the pioneers of the field describes the exciting collaborative and competitive hunt for the key breakthrough and what it portends for our future.โ€
โ€”Walter Isaacson, bestselling author of Steve JobsEinstein, and The Innovators

โ€œA Crack in Creation, by one of the most pioneering women in science, is both exhilarating and frightening. Jennifer Doudna and her co-author Samuel Sternberg challenge us to confront the possible dangers of gene editing, even as we embrace its incredible potential. This book is a roadmap to our future.โ€
โ€”Arianna Huffington, bestselling author of Thrive and The Sleep Revolution

โ€œJennifer Doudna is the true pioneer who built the bridge between the basic science of CRISPR and its diverse applications in agriculture and medicine.  Writing with Samuel Sternberg, she has crafted a beautifully written book with A Crack in Creationโ€”a pure pleasure for both neophyte and expert. Now is the time to read about the revolution that could change our world.โ€
โ€‹โ€”George Church, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and author of Regenesis

โ€œWe are developing ever more powerful tools that allow us to change the genetic makeup not only of life around us but also of ourselves. Describing the potential benefits of these tools as well as some of the risks and ethical issues they present to society,ย A Crack inCreationย is a scientific thriller and a gripping read, framed as a personal voyage by a brilliant scientist who played a major role in developing what is currently one of the most promising and powerful ways of editing our genomes.โ€
โ€”Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the Royal Society and winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Book Knowledge
Book Knowledgehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/previews/books-magazines/
Book Knowledge shares books, magazines and other sources that help us grow in our knowledge of conservatism and help us make a difference in our country.

Hereโ€™s What the USโ€™ Security Guarantees For Ukraine Might Look Like

Western security guarantees for Ukraine are one of the main issues delaying a political resolution to the conflict. Russia launched its SMO primarily in response to NATO-emanating threats from Ukraine.

The Cost of Anger

I will not write much here. There are no words I can say. I only wish to remember those forgotten casualties, the unseen cost of the current antagonism in America.

Another Mass Trans Shooter Not to be Discussed

Robin (Robert) Westman was identified by police as the suspect behind a shooting at a Catholic school that left two children dead and 17 others injured.

AI Techno-Hell Roundup: The Birds and the Bees

In addition to total supplantation of human labor, AI is also doing a number on homo sapiensโ€™ psychological welfare โ€” seducing lonely techno-serfs.

Flagged for Burning

Trump ordered AG to enforce laws against flag desecration focusing on flag burning linked to violent crimes, property destruction or other illegal activities.

Child Who Shielded Friends During Minneapolis School Shooting Praised by Officials

Officials praised children at Annunciation Catholic School in MN who put themselves in harmโ€™s way to protect their friends during a mass shooting.

TransUnion Reports Data Breach Affecting 4 Million American Consumers

TransUnion LLC, Chicago-based credit-reporting firm, announced a data breach involving personal information of 4.4 million consumers throughout the US.

Trump Suggests Holding Republican National Convention in 2026

President Trump may call on the RNC to host a Convention midway through his presidential term, sometime before congressional elections in 2026.

US Economy Grew 3.3 Percent In Q2, Beating Prior Estimate

U.S. economy expanded at a 3.3% annualized pace in second quarter of 2025 with rate of growth exceeding earlier estimate and signaling economic strength.

Trump Says He Will Protect Social Security Amid Potential Congressional Cost-Cutting Proposals

Trump said his admin will protect Social Security and Medicaid, when asked which programs he would want to see cut in a congressional reconciliation bill.

Trump Admin Asks Military Base Near Chicago for Support on Immigration Operations

Naval Station Great Lakes was asked by DHS for โ€œlimited support in the form of facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs to support DHS operations.

DHS Proposes Revamp of Student and Exchange Visas, Citing Fraud and Abuse

The Dept of Homeland Security on Aug. 27 posted a draft version of proposed changes to temporary visas for overseas students and exchange visitors.

Trumpโ€™s 50 Percent Tariff on India Takes Effect

President Trumpโ€™s additional 25% tariff on India became effective at midnight on Aug. 27, bringing the total rate to 50% on many imports entering the US.
spot_img

Related Articles