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A Crack in Creation

Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution

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A Crack in Creation

By: Jennifer A. Doudna, Samuel H. Sternberg
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
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About this listen

A trailblazing biologist grapples with her role in the biggest scientific discovery of our era: a cheap, easy way of rewriting genetic code, with nearly limitless promise and peril.

Not since the atomic bomb has a technology so alarmed its inventors that they warned the world about its use. Not, that is, until the spring of 2015, when biologist Jennifer Doudna called for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the new 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 and will help address the world's hunger crisis. 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 Samuel Sternberg, Doudna shares the thrilling story of her discovery and passionately argues that enormous responsibility comes with the ability to rewrite the code of life. With CRISPR, she shows, we have effectively taken control of evolution. What will we do with this unfathomable power?

©2017 Jennifer A. Doudna and Samuel H. Sternberg (P)2017 Audible, Inc.
Biology Biotechnology Genetics Science & Technology Thought-Provoking
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What listeners say about A Crack in Creation

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Gene editing introduction

From the horse's mouth, this book runs thru the discovery of truly transformational biology. Basic concepts are well explained for the uninitiated and the story is both incredibly important and interesting. The author's presentation of her work was not unlikeable and seemed fair - she has been accused of claiming all the credit.
Why not 5 stars? It is a little repetitive and an accompanying pdf is invaluable for this type of book.

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Very technical in the first half

Has a lot of technical details about what crispr is and how it works, the second half is more informative.
Also it's from 2016, so the panorama it presents in the second half might be dated.
Otherwise a good listen.

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Highly informotive, the new method is well explain

This book is a nice story of how researchers discovered the simplest form of CRISPR and used it for gene editing. Unfortunately, little was said about the initial discovery of CRISPR. In my opinion, the author greatly overestimates her contribution to the field, hence the story is a bit one-sided. As I understood, most research was actually done by two very smart European postdocs. I'd like to her their story. I guess this would be more like Watson's DNA book with ups and downs, rather than a smooth explanation of things by a big boss.

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Excellent book

Very engaging book, discussing the two sides of the debate on the future of gene editing. Highly recommend for both science as well as lay audience.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Clear and informative

I was concerned that the biology within this would have been too complex to understand and whilst I don't think for one second I fully understood each point overall this helped me much better understand this amazing break through and the potential it has for us as a species. Enjoyable and well worth a listen.

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Outstanding Science !

Whilst the science of CRISPR will change everything....and I mean everything, this book is superb at putting the case for both the technical issues and the societal.

One of the best books I have read in a long time!

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Annoying narrative (of author)

Although perhaps intended to be autobiographical on some scale, the somewhat arrogant, self-important narrative unfortunately masks the underlying interesting science being described.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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better science than story

Jennifer is clearly a better scientist than storyteller. some sections, specially the future prospects look overly extended

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