Ethics

A Crack in Creation Summary of Key Points

In ‘A Crack in Creation,’ biochemist Jennifer Doudna and Samuel H. Sternberg explore the groundbreaking discovery of CRISPR-Cas9, a gene-editing tool that has revolutionized the biological sciences. The book delves into the science behind CRISPR, its potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and beyond, as well as the ethical implications and debates it sparks. Doudna and Sternberg provide a firsthand account of the research that led to this discovery and discuss the power and responsibility that come with such a tool.

Crime and Punishment Summary of Key Points

Crime and Punishment is a novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It redefines the concepts of justice and punishment. Raskolnikov, a destitute and desperate former student, wanders through the slums of St. Petersburg and commits a random murder without remorse or regret. He imagines himself to be a great man, a Napoleon, acting for a higher purpose beyond conventional moral law.

Bad Blood Summary of Key Points

Bad Blood is a chilling, gripping account of the rise and precipitous fall of Theranos, the one-time multibillion-dollar biotech startup founded by Elizabeth Holmes. The book provides an in-depth look at how this company led by a Stanford dropout with a revolutionary blood-testing system became a darling of Silicon Valley, and then faced a spectacular downfall when it was discovered that the technology didn’t work.

Being Mortal Summary of Key Points

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande explores the concept of mortality and how it is handled in modern medicine. Gawande illustrates the importance of prioritizing the patient’s quality of life over elongating life through medical treatment. The book also highlights the necessity of having difficult conversations about death and making end-of-life decisions.