Review

Walter Isaacson writes about people who have made a difference. He has written Leonardo da Vinci (2017), Steve Jobs (2011), Einstein (2007), Benjamin Franklin (2003), and Kissinger (1992), and, in The Code Breaker, he continues with his themes of science, genius, experimentation, and life changing inventions. The book is about the invention of the gene-editing technology known as CRISPR and centers on Dr. Jennifer Doudna (DOWD-nuh), a biochemist who, with her collaborator Emmanuelle Charpentier, won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. More than just rewarding an achievement, this seemed to mark the advent of a new era in science. "This year's prize is about rewriting the code of life" the Secretary General of the Royal Swedish Academy said in making the announcement. "These genetic scissors have taken the life sciences into a new epoch." Isaacson notes that, in addition to Doudna, there were other major players in the field of gene editing, all of whom deserve note - this is a collaborative field - but he centered on Doudna "to show the impact that a persistent, sharply inquisitive, stubborn, and edgily competitive player can have." In portraying her life, Isaacson shows that Doudna had collaborative instincts, is highly competitive, controls her emotions, is a leader, and "wears her star status lightly." The Code Breaker is about basic science, science that is "curiosity-driven rather than application oriented." Perhaps the science aspects of the book will turn off some readers, but Isaacson is a real pro and keeps a firm hand on the numerous scientific explanations. His deep research and involvement with the scientists involved in the discovery of gene editing shows throughout the book. In telling about this subject, Isaacson underscores the sharp competition among researchers and the critical nature of collaboration. This discovery of science to edit genes, of course, has stunning implications for human life and Isaacson includes a lengthy chapter on the ethical issues raised by the ability to edit genes, as well as an explanation of how the CRISPR researchers rose to the COVID challenge. This is an eye-opening book written by a superb writer.

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