Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

If this were the title of a fiction book, you might expect the main characters to be brilliant but misguided scientists, funded by biotech start-ups who see potential for massive profits by developing methods to manipulate human DNA. The applications of such technology for the treatment of genetic diseases, cancers, and viral infections could be worth billions of dollars.
At the same time, some of the more entrepreneurial see the potential for selectively breeding certain traits that humans find desirable and profitable-high IQ, increased muscle mass, designer skin color, and enhanced fertility, including choosing the gender of babies.
You would be right except The Mutant Project is not fiction; it is based on facts, meticulously researched by Eben Kirksey, Ph.D. In this book, Dr. Kirksey chronicles his travels around the world as he learned about genetic modification using CRISPER and interviewing multiple scientists and investors who were involved in the first genetically edited babies born in 2018.
CRISPER, “clustered interspaced short palindromic repeats” was discovered in bacteria in 1987, its purpose initially unknown. By 2012 scientists Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier demonstrated how to modify human DNA with CRISPER. It is an enzyme that can “generate mutants by chopping up DNA.”
Even though Dr. Kirksey is writing as a journalist, he makes it clear that he agrees with those who feel this technology must be approached cautiously, as there is a clear risk that “biotech companies may put profits ahead of patients.”
The chief protagonist of this saga is Dr. Jiankui He of China, the physician scientist responsible for modifying two embryos, creating the first edited babies in the world, twin girls born in China in October 2018. How Dr. He went from “powerful scientific entrepreneur to pariah” within a few short years is both riveting and disappointing.
This story moves at a rapid pace as the author travelled around the world interviewing multiple people in varied locations; I suggest not laying the book aside once you start. A background in basic biology is helpful but not necessary to enjoy this book, since the ethical and moral issues it raises go beyond the realm of science. One does not need a graduate degree in genetics to understand this book, although I am sure it would help.
One of the nicest features of the book-it is dedicated to the twin girls, Lulu and Nana, who live in China with their parents and are reported to be healthy.

Despite the winking title, this is not a science fiction book. However, for many people what it is about is somewhat science fiction. It is in fact a long account inside, outside and along the borders of 'gene editing', a procedure that is already being used today, sometimes successfully and sometimes not, to treat rare genetic diseases. By telling the story of the first two girls who were genetically modified at conception to inactivate the HIV receptor, the author takes the opportunity to talk about access to treatment, the gap between rich and poor, eugenics, profit and much more.

This was a fascinating look at gene editing, focused mostly on the CRISPR took and following the 2018 story about the first genetically modified babies born in China. I knew the basics going in about the backlash from the China births and have seen headlines about how powerful CRISPR can be. This book provided a look back at the history of genetic modifications using CRISPR and other tools.

I found this book to be very interesting, bouncing between CRISPR details, discussions with leading scientists via interviews or at conferences, and Dr. He's plans to use CRISPR to modify embryos to make the babies resistant to HIV and AIDS. This book read like a written documentary--not taking a stand either way (until the epilogue) but delivering the facts and background to allow the reader to make their own decision. Very interesting read.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When i first read it i thought i was i was reading something out of a scifi novel only to find out it was real. This book touches on the controversial practice of genetic mutations and manupilations. Although it has a scary ring, the author does point out the beneficial impact it can have on society like eliminating death related illnesses. The book is a little heavy on the details but draws up a compelling argument on the future of humankind. Is genetically modified humans the next step in our evolution?

To kick off 2021, I'm reviewing one of the few nonfiction books I read every year.

This was nothing like what I expected. I thought the book would discuss in depth the moral issues of genetic engineering and it does so but in a very peculiar way.

We travel through the eyes of the narrator to scientific conferences... and what is said behind stage, into the lives of volunteers of past clinical trials and their struggles.

CRISPR is a relatable new technology but the issues it brings are old. Who has access to these new developments? Is this just going to further separate rich from poor? Who decides the limit? Scientists? Politicians? Everyone?

To somewhat answer those questions, we revisit the past to understand what happened during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 80's.

Genetic engineering is something we should concern ourselves because the future is going to be shaped by the choices we make now as a society.

"The coronavirus pandemic was making it clear that humanity needed robust public health services, not exorbitantly priced genetic medicine" (Kindle location 4042).

Yes! Absolutely true! But … how?

This is an interesting popular science book about the advances in gene editing and the ripples it is sending outward from the world of medicine into other corners of human activity. The main story is about Chinese scientist Jiankui He, who was first hailed, and then reviled and jailed, for his (successful) attempts to modify human embryos, but there are interesting detours into crip culture, the history of AIDS research and treatment, and inequalities in access to US health care.

Chapter 7 (“Will I Have to Mortgage My House?”) was especially interesting to me because I have a (so far) non-deadly form of leukemia and the chapter chronicled the (very expensive) treatment by gene manipulation of children who had a more deadly form of same. In addition to the enormous cost, the treatment and recovery process was quite scary, so you won't find me dashing out to gene-edit myself, even though I also found out in this book that certain foolhardy (in my view) people are doing just that. (Apparently, you don't need any special permit to gene-edit yourself.)

I am – mid-pandemic – looking for reasons to be cheerful and I allowed myself to find one in Chapter 7, thinking that today's expensive and scary treatment could be the future's more affordable and merely uncomfortable treatment for those who fail to respond to other, more traditional, less science-fiction-y methods. Also, if I understand correctly, gene editing – if improved from its current state – could give rise to “one-and-done”-style treatments, releasing those with certain chronic diseases from the periodic nerve-wracking visits to the hospital and waits to see if the results of the most recent blood draw will carry bad news and need for further treatment.

As noted at the top, this book also contains a heartfelt appeal to redirect medical brainpower and resources away from attention-grabbing treatments that will be accessible only to the most well-off, and toward the rest of us. This book quotes a University of California professor: “… CRISPR technologies inside capitalist and individualist medicine that distracts healers (and investment) from the medicine we need …” (location 4037).

I seem to read a lot of books these days on different topics that implore us to look toward the long-run common good, but hardly any of them talk about how to accomplish this laudable end. This book is no exception. At the end, I wanted to shake the book and yell, “Tell me how to make it better!”

I received a free electronic advance review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley. Thanks for the generosity.

An astonishing book about doing gene modification on human embryos. It’s not just for diseases any more. When the author went to a conference, she found out that a Dr. He from China had produced two healthy baby girls with the ability to resist the HIV virus. Dr. He first lost his job at an university, then a China district court put him into prison for his genetic babies that he was responsible for. The doctor has announced his work by using YouTube videos. Dr. He did not want to announce this at the conference until a journal published his work. It wasn’t like scientists world-wide hadn’t been experimenting but not on humans. At this time, it isn’t done though in the near future it may. If so, it will be for the rich as it is very expensive to do. I don’t think I want some of this gene surgery done as the implications are more than I could decide what is right or wrong to do in regard to gene surgery. Would there be superior humans vs. normal humans? How would that effect the life of humans?

Remember the tv show “X-files”? Reading this nonfiction book, “I want to believe” that they would wisely use a set of ethics that all would follow, but would they? Humans are very competitive when bribed or should I say encourage by their country’s government. It is a fascinating look at a science I don’t think about as a rule. I think reading this book has changed that for me. The author has written an engaging book. It’s written to show us what the future could hold for us or will?

With the first genetically modified babies born in October 2018 in China, The Mutant Project has officially begun. Of course, the doctor involved was ultimately sentenced to a three-year prison term. But once the genie is out of his bottle, it’s impossible to coax him back in.

It turns out that CRISPR, the tool used for gene editing, is less like Microsoft’s cut and paste and “more like a tiny Reaper drone that can produce targeted damage to DNA.” It can “produce serious collateral damage, like a drone attack that accidentally takes out a wedding party instead of the intended target.“

The book spends a lot of time (42%!) explaining how the AIDS crisis has produced a bunch of genetic hackers trying to use loops of DNA to fight AIDS. Injecting yourself with untested “cures” reminds me of citizen science during the Renaissance. It is both exciting and scary in equal measures.

Much of the history depicted here is also shown in the Netflix limited series, Unnatural Selection, in edited form. So if you were intrigued by the show, you can get more details here. Or you, like me, can watch the show after reading the book to see what everyone looks like.

If you like real science written in an easily understandable way, read The Mutant Project. It does a great job explaining how gene manipulation may soon cure genetic diseases. CRISPR, more disturbingly, can also allow rich parents to pick their child’s physical traits and health risks, well before birth. It really is a Brave New World. 4 stars!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a bit slow moving at first but I loved the information about CRISPR and I loved the concluding chapter of the book. If you’re interested in learning more about this cutting edge technology with a focus on how the first CRISPR babies came to be then this is the perfect book to learn more.

Eben Kirksey explores advances in and questions the principles which inform our interaction with genetic engineering in The Mutant Project. This book zeroes in on one of the most recently discovered genetic engineering technologies, CRISPR, which garnered a great deal of attention after it was revealed that twins had resulted from a pair of embryos that had been genetically modified using this technology. Kirksey provides context by surveying the history of genetic engineering and ditches scientific jargon to provide clear descriptions of the technology used without oversimplification. We are introduced to real people, with very palpable needs, desires and intentions - some good and others somewhat questionable. Kirksey explores the history of DNA and genetic engineering research in detail in this book and the way in which people have interacted with these advancements over the years. Biotechnology companies facilitate ground-breaking research and develop life-changing, and often life-saving, gene therapies but often sell them at such exorbitant prices that these treatments remain inaccessible for the majority of people who stand to benefit from them. Grinders believe that gene engineering tools should be available to the public and engage in (sometimes risky) genetic modification of their bodies within their community. Researchers are constantly encouraged to push the envelope while the lives of several in dire need of novel or existing gene therapies hang in the balance. Kirksey interrogates our relationship with genetic engineering, discussing limits, capabilities and accessibility of current and future technology. This account is thought-provoking, extremely informative and overall a well written book.

This is a fascinating deep dive into the world of CRISPR genetics, designer babies and the ethical questions surrounding them. I really enjoyed the science, stories and the focus on potential social effects of gene editing. The books straightforward approach allows the reader to engage with the stories while becoming more informed on the world of biotech.

I also posted this review on Instagram @hmmclean

Gene editing on humans is a controversial and at the same time fascinating topic.The author is an excellent guide to this topic.I learned a lot about a topic I did not know a lot about,The discussions arguments there’s a lot to process and think about,Highly recommend for anyone who like probing scientific debate,#netgalley

3.5 stars

In this book anthropologist Eben Kirksey updates us on cutting edge genetic manipulation that could change the human race.

Modern advances in gene therapy stem from the work of Dr. Jennifer Doudna and Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, Nobel prize winners who found a way to edit DNA. In June 2012 the scientists demonstrated that a piece of genetic material called CRISPR-Cas9 can be customized to snip a DNA sequence in a specific place, altering the DNA of a living organism. CRISPR-Cas9 works by unwinding part of the DNA double helix into two single strands. CRISPR then holds everything in place while Cas9 makes two cuts, producing a break in both strands of DNA. New DNA can then be inserted at the cuts.

Manipulating DNA is tricky, and the procedure can have unwanted consequences. For example, when CRISPR breaks a segment of a cell's DNA, the cell's attempts to repair the damage could result in nonsense sequences of nucleotides. Dr. Ashley Fischer, who teaches a gene editing course, observes, "a CRISPR molecule [could] wreak havoc, shredding your DNA into bits and pieces. Many of your genes would be destroyed and your cells would likely die."

Nevertheless, once CRISPR was unveiled, it was impossible to put the genie back in the bottle. Doudna predicted that CRISPR would be used to direct the evolution of our species, writing: "We possess the ability to edit not only the DNA of every living human but also the DNA of future generations."

One aim of genetic manipulation might be to cure diseases like sickle cell anemia and hemophilia, which can be attributed to known genes. Another aim might be to change things like eye color and hair color, whose genetic basis is also relatively well understood. As scientists learn more and more about the human genome, though, genetic manipulation might be used to make more profound changes.

British scientist Robin Lovell-Badge suggests that people might want to modify genes so their children have perfect pitch; enhanced athletic abilities; resistance to infectious diseases; higher intelligence; etc.

Some military leaders dream of engineering soldiers with enhanced endurance, speed, and muscle mass.

Carl June, director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Penn Medicine - who has already developed a gene therapy for leukemia - hopes to treat patients with advanced tumors that are not currently curable with known and approved therapies.

Molecular biologist George Church - who has long aspired to bring wooly mammoths back from the dead - believes genome engineering can be used to give humans extra-strong bones; to allow people to hold their breath for a long time under water; and to extend life expectancy....maybe even allow humans to achieve immortality. Church also thinks its possible to create resistance to pathogens by preventing the entry of viruses into cells, not only in humans but also in agricultural plants and animals.

Some people speculate about the feasibility of using gene therapy to change gender; imbue people with fruit smells; increase physical attractiveness; enhance fertility; change racial characteristics; and change skin color.

Others think humans might be altered so they can see in the ultraviolet or infrared spectrum; detect electromagnetic fields; be able to digest plants that aren't currently edible; perform photosynthesis; glow green (for discos); or exhibit other variations.

Lovell-Badge observes, "The mere fact that we are raising these suggestions does not mean that they should be done."

A potential problem of gene manipulation is that scientists don't completely understand what they're tinkering with. The genes for SOME traits are well understood but researchers have found that many characteristics are controlled by a combination of genes, and traits like mental illness or intelligence - which would be prime targets for gene manipulation - are still a puzzle to scientists. Moreover, 'enhancements' often come with serious health risks, like smaller internal organs or other unwanted side effects.

Another problem related to gene manipulation is access. Gene therapy clinics are financed by venture capitalists looking for profit, so the procedures are very expensive. This means the wealthy - mostly rich white people - have more access than others, a factor that deepens racial and economic disparities. Kirksey notes, "Profit-driven ventures in research and medicine [are] producing a new era of dramatic medical inequality."

There's also controversy about using gene therapy to weed out (what many consider) disabilities. Professor Ruha Benjamin notes that "technological innovation and social inequality often go hand in hand." She observes that "some conditions deemed medical problems by doctors are embraced as diversity by differently abled people."

Biochemist Gregor Wolbring, who uses a wheelchair, would not appreciate being 'cured.' Wolbring "is critical of entrepreneurs and scientists who champion gene therapies as miracle cures or as transformative tools of human enhancement." Wolbring fears gene manipulation will strip humanity of character and biological diversity. Referring to differently abled people, the biochemist says "You can understand people like me as part of human variation, or you can see us as being impaired and eliminate us from the population." Wolbring thinks this would be wrong, especially since differently abled people might have advantages for space travel and other future technologies.

Thus, when speaking about gene therapy, many questions arise: "Who is gaining access to cutting-edge genetic medicine? Are there creative ways to democratize the field? Should parents be allowed to choose the genetic makeup of their children? How much can we actually change about the human condition by tinkering with DNA?"

Kirksey writes, "As a cultural anthropologist, I have often found myself opposing biologists in debates about human nature. My goal has been to map the broader impacts of genetic engineering for humanity. Using an anthropological lens, I examined new forms of power as scientists, corporate lobbyists, medical doctors, and biotechnology entrepreneurs worked to redesign life itself."

Kirksey describes a variety of experiments in which people manipulated human DNA, many of them aimed at curing HIV-AIDS. One of the best known experiments was performed by Chinese biophysics researcher Jiankui He, who went to graduate school in the United States, then did his experiments in China.

Having HIV-AIDS makes life especially difficult in China, where people with the virus experience extreme discrimination. For that reason, preventing AIDS would be extremely desirable there. Dr. He hoped to help with the cause (and make a lot of money).

Kirksey explains Dr. He's experiments in detail, but in a nutshell:

Dr. He offered free experimental fertility treatments (in vitro fertilization) to couples with an HIV-positive man and an HIV-negative woman. Several couples consented to participate in Dr. He's research, and agreed that gene therapy could be used on their embryos, to reduce the children's' risk of becoming infected with HIV. Dr. He's goal was to destroy the embryos' CCR5 gene, which facilitates the entrance of HIV viruses into cells. In other words, cells without CCR5 genes are 'immune' to the AIDS virus.

The women in the experiment had their eggs removed and fertilized with their husbands' sperm. Dr. He then injected CRISPR-Cas9 into the eggs right after fertilization. If the genetic surgery was successful - and the CCR5 gene was destroyed - the embryo(s) were implanted in their mother's womb.

In October 2018 this experiment resulted in the birth of two CRISPR babies, Lulu and Nana.

Kirksey notes, "Dr. He's story is a gateway into a much bigger enterprise: the tale of CRISPR and the emergence of genetic medicine." Experiments along this line were already well under way in England, the United States and China - the aim being to develop medical applications of genetic surgery for adults. Kirksey goes on to say, "Gene therapy research is proceeding apace, and society will have to deal with the practicality, morality, and consequences of proceeding with this kind of medicine."

The author traveled to a number of laboratories, clinics, and conferences to research the book, and interviewed scientists, doctors, professors, sociologists, artists, disabled scholars, chronically ill patients, hackers, and others - who have a diversity of opinions about humanity and genetic engineering. Kirksey also visited Xinhua County, where Jiankui He grew up, and provides a mini-biography of the scientist.

Kirksey has a casual travelogue-type approach to his writing, and intersperses the genetic engineering parts of his story with snippets about his travels; hotels; accommodations; meals; conversations; and so on. I liked the journal-like style of the narrative, which added interest to the book (for me). For instance, Kirksey mentions that the lobby of Hong Kong's Le Méridien Cyberport Hotel has artwork depicting "a gorilla peeking out of an orange, smoking a cigarette"; that he dined on "Korean BBQ followed by papaya and snow fungus cold soup" and ate "roast chicken, sour vegetable soup, dumplings, sautéed tofu, and sesame seed cakes"; that Jay Johnson - who volunteered to become one of the world's first gene edited people in 2009 - is African American, has striking green eyes, wears a salt-and-pepper mustache, and has a subtle hoop ring in his right ear; and so forth.

Kirksey also likes to compare real world science with science fiction, and mentions Frankenstein, Blade Runner, Neuromancer, Gattaca, Wolverine, Altered Carbon, Star Wars, Terminator, Brave New World, and more. For instance, the Netflix show Stranger Things describes secret government experiments on children with unusual powers; and the X-Men movies feature beings with uncanny superpowers, who face severe persecution. Before long, the real world may begin to resemble science fiction.

On the downside, the story is a little all over the place, straying into areas that are only tangentially related to genetic engineering. Still, the book is interesting and informative, and well worth reading.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Eben Kirksey), and the publisher (St. Martin's Press) for a copy of the book.

I love all types of books about genes, genetic testing, gene editing, etc. and I think the non-fiction books about the subject are even more interesting than the fiction ones. I love questioning my own ethics when I read and changing my mind about what I think is acceptable and what is not--the line is thin and ever-changing.

In addition to learning all the new ways genetic modifications can be applied, I am also interested in who gets to make the rules surrounding the science and how to hold scientists accountable. How do you make scientists from a variety of countries adhere to the same rules, especially when different countries hold different social, religious, and ethical beliefs? For example, "secular Chinese medial ethics draws on Confucian thought, which assumes that a person becomes a person after it is born, not before. Intellectuals in China do not generally share the preoccupations of Western or Christian bioethicists who think that human life is sacred from the moment of conception." This core belief allows for Chinese scientists to move forward in areas where the United States pulls back, allowing them to take the lead in the field. Will lawmakers have to take all religions and moral beliefs into account to make laws which the entire scientific community must follow?

Author Eben Kirksey touches on so many ideas, obstacles, and possibilities within this science and includes a wide variety of viewpoints. I recommend this book to anyone who loved The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, who is interested in diseases and medical inequality, or to anyone simply looking to educate themselves on the science occurring right now that could affect human evolution.

This is one to pick up if you are interested in the emerging issue of gene modification. Kirksey has done his best to bring technical details down to earth for non-scientists, in part by focusing on the people who have been working in the field. Jianki He, a Chinese scientist, set off global concerns in 2018 when he not only used CRISPR to alter the DNA of human embryos and then told the world about it. This touches on some of the ethical issues but, to be fair, it's not meant to full discussion of that aspect of the research. Kirksey wraps his own medical issues into the book which sort of works. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Intriguing and informative.

The Mutant Project is a well written book that goes into great detail about the conference held in China. Many scientists, some world renowned, attended and claims were made of how human DNA could be modified to make a perfect human who could be resistant to disease, have stronger bone structure and have a longer life. Laboratories are already doing substantial testing and hoping someday to create perfect human beings.
I found the book to be both fascinating, but also very disturbing, especially how our DNA is obtained for the scientists. It is very controversial of course and almost sounds like something out of a science fiction novel. It will raise many questions - how far should we go to eliminate disease, but in doing so, are we playing with nature and the future human babies.
I thank the author, publishers and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Kirksey provides a very unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges of gene editing technologies by focusing not merely on the science but also on the potential inequalities, challenges to access, and ethical issues.
The frame for most of the book is set by the recent announcement of HIV-resistant, gene-edited babies born in China. As the book progresses, the discussion centers more on HIV/AIDS. In both scenarios, Kirksey is able to weave in science, politics, business and social equity as key discussion points. The discussion on whether the hoopla around Chinese scientists is more motivated by politics and competition was an interesting one.

The book, however, could have been more compact - the discussions and observations tend to repeat and there is no clear narrative arc - there is no central hypothesis or set of premises that the author wants the reader to explore.. Therefore, while informative at times, the book doesnt inspire.

The Mutant Project bring readers into the real work of genetic research and the questions that need to be asked before we try and even more detail gene editing in the world. What would a perfect human be? Well it before everyone who only the wealthy nations to choose who is deserving of the research and science.

As a teen many of have read the book Brave New World and if that book taught us anything at all is that no matter the "protection of information" it will never be as peaceful or perfect as people will hope for.

The author looks at all sides of the debate the pros and cons as well as the many different political, financial, religious aspects of gene editing.

The author is able to bring readers to find their own decision though the research that has been done.
This book is for science nerds to stay at home moms because some day this will effect everyone.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Eben Kirksey The Mutant Project

"CRISPR has no power. This molecule only becomes powerful in the hands of individual people."

The Mutant Project: Inside the Global Race to Genetically Modify Humans was a surprisingly fluid read. Eben Kirksey takes a famous, intricate, ethically-controversial topic and examines it through scientific, anthropological, and modern lenses. He highlights how science can be obstructed with controversy and that nothing in the field, now merging into that of eugenics, is as black-and-white as it seems.

The book also provides insight into the financial/business/global aspects of genetic modification, in which private companies essentially market their services with "repeat customers" in mind. For example, the book highlights how men with lower fertility rate who depend on IVF can precipitate their future children/grandchildren/etc. to have fertility problems as well, thus forcing them to return to clinics for fertility treatment. Another instance is Kirksey's parallels of how gene editing will affect third-world countries, especially in regards to culture and traditions.

Overall, Kirksey details the science in an easily understandable way, engaging readers across all audiences, not just the science/medical community. The future is today, and this book is a great introduction into the world of gene editing. I would recommend this book to everyone interested in expanding their worldviews or collection of knowledge at large.