Decoding CRISPR: Jennifer Doudna and the future of gene editing (Ep 61)

<p>What is CRISPR? Who are the key players behind its discovery? And what does it mean for science both now and in the future?</p> <p>On this episode of Big Biology, we talk to renowned author Walter Isaacson (<a href="https://twitter.com/WalterIsaacson">@WalterIsaacson</a>) about his new book, <a href="https://bigbiologypodcast.tumblr.com/post/647369872786030592/the-code-breaker-by-walter-isaacson-episode-61"><u><em>Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race</em></u></a>. We break down the rich history of the gene editing CRISPR-Cas9 system--from its initial discovery in bacteria to the current ethical considerations for using it in humans. We also talk about the life of Nobel Prize winning scientist <a href="https://doudnalab.org"><u>Jennifer Doudna</u></a>, who, along with <a href="https://www.emmanuelle-charpentier-lab.org"><u>Emmanuelle Charpentier</u></a>, initially proposed CRISPR as a way to edit DNA and modify traits to fight disease. We then close with a discussion of what CRISPR-Cas9 means for the future of gene editing and just how far it could, or rather <em>should</em>, go.</p> --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigbiology/message