The Code of Life
Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Species
Walter Isaacson
First published
2021
Pages
692
PDF language
Portuguese (Portugal)
Field
Science
About the book
In The Code of Life, Walter Isaacson follows Jennifer Doudna’s journey, from the scientific curiosity awakened in childhood to the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9, one of the most revolutionary biotechnological tools of our time.
Combining biography, the history of genetics and scientific reporting, the book shows how research into RNA and bacteria’s defence mechanisms against viruses opened the way to gene editing. CRISPR made it possible to intervene in the code of life itself, offering new possibilities for treating diseases, fighting infections and understanding human biology.
Yet this promise brings profound dilemmas: how far should we go in altering genes? Should we cure diseases, enhance abilities, choose our children’s characteristics or redesign the human species? The Code of Life is thus the story of a decisive scientific discovery — and an urgent reflection on humanity’s biological, ethical and social future.