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

Jennifer A. Doudna earned her BA in chemistry from Pomona College in 1985 and her PhD in biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology from Harvard Medical School in 1989. After completing postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado, Boulder, she began her faculty career at Yale University’s Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. In 2002, she joined the University of California, Berkeley, as a professor of chemistry and molecular and cell biology.

Doudna’s early research focused on RNA structure and function. Her laboratory made significant contributions to understanding ribozymes and RNA interference before shifting attention to bacterial immune systems, specifically CRISPR. In 2020, she shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Emmanuelle Charpentier for their development of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. She has founded several biotechnology companies focused on developing CRISPR-based therapeutics and serves as the president and chair of the Innovative Genomics Institute.

Samuel H. Sternberg completed his PhD in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, conducting his doctoral research in Doudna’s laboratory from 2010 to 2015. During this period, he contributed to fundamental studies of CRISPR-Cas9 mechanisms and applications. After completing his PhD, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Columbia University Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. He later joined Columbia’s faculty as an assistant professor, where his laboratory studies CRISPR systems and protein-DNA interactions.

A Crack in Creation emerged at a critical moment in the development of gene-editing technology. Published in 2017, the book appeared as CRISPR applications were expanding rapidly across scientific fields and ethical debates about human genetic modification were intensifying. The timing proved particularly significant, as it preceded the 2018 announcement of the first CRISPR-edited human babies in China, an event that amplified many of the concerns discussed in the book.

The authors’ scientific backgrounds inform their approach to explaining complex technical concepts while addressing broader societal implications. Doudna’s position as a pioneer in CRISPR research provides firsthand insight into the technology’s development and potential applications. Sternberg’s experience conducting doctoral research during CRISPR’s emergence offers perspective on the rapid evolution of the field.

Beyond A Crack in Creation, both authors maintain active roles in advancing genetic engineering technology and participating in discussions about its responsible development. Doudna has published hundreds of scientific papers and holds multiple patents related to CRISPR technology. She frequently addresses international forums about scientific policy and bioethics. Sternberg continues to research novel CRISPR systems and their potential applications while contributing to scientific literature about genome engineering.

Their work extends beyond purely scientific contributions. Doudna co-founded the Innovative Genomics Institute, which promotes research addressing global challenges in health and sustainability. She has also served on numerous advisory panels concerning the implications of genome editing, including the National Academy of Sciences committee on human genome editing. Sternberg engages in public education about molecular biology and biotechnology through lectures, articles, and media appearances.

The significance of their contributions to genetic engineering has been recognized through numerous awards and honors. In addition to the Nobel Prize, Doudna has received the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the Japan Prize, and the Wolf Prize in Medicine. She holds membership in the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. These accolades reflect the transformative impact of the authors’ research on biological science and medicine.