A Crack in Creation

Lesson 1. Introduction.

This book introduces the reader to the remarkable invention which allows humans to rewrite genetic code with great ease.

Gene editing opens up a fascinating world that one is exposed to only in movies and science fiction. Genetic manipulation can work wonders for mankind: curing of genetic diseases, improving the quality and yields of crops, and others. 

However, the book also sensitizes the reader to the dangers of this God-like power to modify creations of nature at will. We cannot enjoy the fruits of this fascinating discovery, without discussing the unprecedented dangers of misuse of such powerful technology.   

Lesson 2. Genetic modifications may occur naturally.

Life on earth has progressed through thousands of years via evolution, as Darwin’s principles explain. However today, mankind is standing on the cusp of a scientific breakthrough, whereby we no longer need to depend on evolution to modify life.

The world of gene editing has opened up vast possibilities for mankind. Doudna and Sternberg both have contributed to research in this field, which has enabled the intentional manipulation of genetic code possible, without the need of years and years of evolution. 

Gene editing is not something that is possible only through artificial means. In fact, it can be caused by natural means as well.

For instance, Kim was a patient of a rare hereditary disease called WHIM syndrome. It is caused due to a single ‘spelling mistake’ in the human DNA. Kim had been diagnosed with the disease in the 1960s. However, in 2013, scientists discovered to their surprise that Kim had stopped showing symptoms for the disease. 

When they studied Kim’s blood cells, they realized that in one of her chromosomes, as many as 35 million letters were missing from the DNA code. Moreover, the remaining DNA code too was in a state of disorder. 

Scientists could come up with only one possible explanation. One cell in Kim’s body had undergone something called chromothripsis, whereby a chromosome had suddenly exploded, thus rearranging the genes it contained. This had brought about a chain of disruption in the DNA code which had managed to erase the ‘misspelling’ causing the WHIM syndrome. Hence, Kim had stopped showing symptoms for the disease. 

This shows that nature too can ‘edit’ genes, like it happened in Kim’s case. Now let’s explore how intentional editing of the genetic code can be carried out to correct misspellings and cure diseases.  

Lesson 3. The discovery that led to the breakthrough in gene editing.

Before diving right into the world of gene editing and