The Code Breaker

This book must be read. Every chapter is explained in detail. It contains valuable information about science and research in gene editing.

I have read almost all the works of Walter Isaacson which deal with biographies of diversed personalities like Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Leonard da Vinci and Steve Jobs. I picked up this book with a little trepidation since it deals with Genetic engineering and I was afraid I would be drowned in a vocabulary that I am not familiar with. My fear was unfounded. Unlike his other biographical works this book is part biographical (of Jennifer Doudna, joint Nobel Prize winner for chemistry in 2021) and part about Genetic engineering, research world, patents and rivalries among the scientists. Isaacson engages with the readers very well as his style of writing is captivating and racy and there will not be a single moment of dullness. Here in this book he has the added responsibility of demystifying the world of DNA, RNA and enzymes. And he does it with aplomb. I gave myself 10 days to finish reading this voluminous book owing to the scientific nature of the book but I could finish it in 4 days. We have read Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's The brave new world and thought of them as pure fantasy and fiction. But wait. Gene editing could change all of that. Obviously there are ethical issues but if we do surmount them we will soon be in the brave new world. Brilliant book. Go for it!

The Code Breaker traces the history of gene editing while simultaneously tracking Jennifer Doudna’s life — she has received a Nobel prize for being a pioneer of the CRISPR technology (an immune system that bacteria adapt whenever they get attacked by a new virus). There is a key difference between this book and Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs. I did not learn anything new from the latter as I was aware of most of the key events in the life of Jobs and in the history of Apple; however the insights that he provided into Jobs’ personality and the behind-the-scenes happenings at Apple made it an extremely interesting read. The Code Breaker, on the other hand, was extremely informative given my limited knowledge of gene editing; however, in its quest for being informative, the book ends up being somewhat tedious. Doudna has led an extremely laudable professional life. However, her personal life has been largely commonplace, and while Isaacson tries his hardest to create a sense of excitement around it, he fails to do so. He focuses all his efforts on this front in the third part of the book — Gene Editing — where he chronicles the intense rivalry between Feng Zhang and Doudna, tracing their race to get credit, important prizes and patents. But this attempt falls short. The most interesting part of the book for me was the section where Isaacson explores the moral or ethical issues around gene-editing. This is best exemplified by the question, “would it be wrong to do so or would it be wrong not to do so”. Isaacson discusses where boundary lines should be drawn — somatic editing versus germline editing (the latter is hereditary), the use for treatment of diseases versus for enhancement of human characteristics, the types of diseases that should be edited out, disadvantages that are disabling versus those that are simply so because of societal constructs (such as homosexuality) and finally whether the individual or the community should control this. From this part onwards, the book is less about Doudna and more about the science. The book ends on an optimistic note, while discussing the Covid-19 disease and the race to find a vaccine, on how reprogrammable RNA vaccines could pave a way for finding faster cures to diseases and pandemics in the future. Pros: Helps understand the science of biogenetics, interesting debate on the ethical aspects Cons: Drags in parts

It’s a great read. Very inspiring . Very neatly written. Many heroes in it. Enchanting story of Doudna and tens of best scientists who didn’t make it to Nobel prize

Good

Loved to read about gene editing, understanding chemistry, people behind it over the years… how vaccines were created for Coronavirus. Loved to read about the scientists, the women and everyone who were involved especially Doudna has become a role model for me!!! To read about the efforts that go to win a Nobel prize felt fantastic.

It is a wonderful book - very well researched and starting from the point where scientists were able to get a x-ray of the DNA- mapping it - getting to CRIPER - to how today scientists have practically put it to use and got us the vaccine for COVID-19 and future applications of CRISPR technology. Amazing journey of Nobel prize winner Jennifer Doudna.

The author does a great job in portraying otherwise unknown facets of the research process, most notably the intricate strategies involved in pushing towards a publication. He also narrates her backstory in a very natural manner. Also each of the chapters that describes the science (with great abstraction) is perfectly relevant and builds towards the finale with great ease.

Isaacson brings the science of gene editing to life with clarity and warmth. Complex concepts are explained in an accessible way, and he highlights the humanity of the scientists involved, touching on their rivalries and motivations but also really helping the reader get to know them. Perhaps surprisingly, it reads like a gripping story. This is a must-read. I was disappointed to reach the end. But it feels like only the beginning of genomics. This book does an excellent job of raising awareness and understanding of a hugely important technology. Yes the part of morality was a bit different from the overall story, as other reviewers have said. But it was thought provoking and these issues cannot be ignored.

Très bon livre

Very encouraging that we have come this far but the questions discussed on it’s usage specially diminishing DIVERSITY I have no doubt that it will UNDERMINE humankind natural defense system and diminish all of us in so many ways ( creativity & resilience to begin with ) . As a person and as a scientist I LOVE JENNIFER

Um dos melhores livros biográficos que li nos últimos anos!

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