czepeda.com

The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race

Link: https://a.co/d/6oFDzNh

Rating: 3

Read

Reading duration: December 20th, 2023 - February 3rd, 2024

Very insightful view into the world of biochemistry, collaboration, competition and the awful continuation of patents.

This book presented me the perspective of Jennifer Doudna and her history on how she got to where she ended getting awarded the Nobel Prize. Along the way were introduced to her influences and inspirations that led her to the journey to discovering CRISPR.

The biggest thing I got out of the book was her partnerships with her colleagues and the competition she faced along the way. I knew the existence of competition in this field of scientific inventions, but this book definitely put me at the front row viewing on how it all transpires.

One last thing is a lot of teasing I suppose of what's to come out of this invention (CRISPR) and some of the ideas being worked on now, like flu detection and curing of diseases. Of course the controversial and moral decision of what's to be of human gene editing. There was no clear answer as to what is to be done. The story of He Jiankui and all the scandal that came with it.

In conclusion this book kept me very interested all the way through. But it definitely leaves you wanting to know more about CRISPR and what is being worked on now. I'd recommend this book definitely to students. It really presents an entire journey of a scientist, from beginning of studies to winning the Nobel Prize. That's a pretty nice observation to be able to look into.