A Crack in Creation

In the spring of 2015, biologist Jennifer A. Doudna called for a worldwide moratorium on using CRISPR, the gene-editing tool she helped create, to make heritable changes to human embryos. Writing with fellow researcher Samuel H. Sternberg, she tells the story of the discovery and explains why the technique, the cheapest and simplest way yet found to alter DNA, carries such promise and risk. It may lead to cures for HIV, genetic diseases and some cancers and help with world hunger, yet even tiny changes to DNA could have unforeseen effects, and altering embryos to make better humans raises ethical and social questions. Doudna argues that the power to rewrite the code of life brings great responsibility.

500 Startups partner Marvin Liao mentioned it among the books he was partway into, in a list he said reflected interests that include the rising biotech economy.