Worthwhile summary of the state of genetic engineering circa 2019. Written by a sometime novelist, it's an easy read. ( )

Metzl describes the current state of human genetic engineering, and predicts what will soon be possible and affordable. He discusses the ethical dilemmas surrounding human genetic engineering, and arguments for and against using it. He points out that no matter what arguments are against it, people are going to do it anyway, and argues that we need an international treaty such as the nuclear non-proliferation agreement to prevent nations from weaponizing genetic engineering.

I wasn't quite interested enough in the topic to spend a lot of time on it, so I skimmed the book, but it is organized well enough to be easily skimmable. The information is fascinating and a little terrifying, and I am glad that I will not be making any decisions about having children in the next 15-20 years. ( )

Unfortunately mostly about arguing for something I already agree with so didn't find many interesting things in it. ( )

Hacking Darwin takes a look at the current status of genetic engineering, as well as the possible and probable future uses of these tools, ethics, and the future of humanity. Metzl has written an engaging, fascinating and thought-provoking book that focuses on the fast approaching and inevitable (and exiting) genetic revolution, with clear explanations of the tools involved and the consequences of their use. The writing is clear, explanations accurate and not too technical for the general interested reader.

This book covers a vast array of topics that fall under the genetic engineering umbrella. He starts off with the history of genetic research, IVF, genetic screening; and continues with the relationship between genetics, diseases, traits, the environment; AI tools to process complex genetic patters; the pros and cons of the genetic engineering tools; "designer babies"; stem-cell research; mitochondrial disease; multiple donar babies; gene-editing tools such as CRISPR; gene-therapy; safety issues and challenges to the current technology; chimeras; organ transplants; synthetic biology; aging; the ethics and responsibility of using genetic engineering tool; our relationship with nature; GMOs; the arms race of the human race; and finaly, the furture of humanity.

Metzl states that his intent is to inform the public about the genetic revolution so that we can "make the smartest collective decisions about our war forward... to understand what is happening and what's at stake." Genetic entineering is a tool. The genetic revolution has the potential to improve lives or do great harm. The future of humanity depends on how we use it. ( )

The book outlines the latest technologies we've developed that allow us to genetically modify organisms. It gives both real accounts of where it has already been used and creates fictional scenarios of how it can potentially be found in the future. There is just the right amount of science inserted into it to keep it being a science book, but it's not heavily scientific since that's not the point behind the book.

The underlying theme is a philosophical and geopolitical one. This part of the book does not have answers, but it's merely trying to ask the right questions. They are not uncommon and I believe most westerners share Metzl's beliefs and fears. While I find it useful to have these works out there in the wild to act as references for framing the discussion, I think we need to hear more viewpoints on the topic, especially not-western ones.

There's a bit of repetition going on and some personal anecdotes that I would've preferred left out of the book to make the message more cohesive, which I'm reflecting in the score I give it.

In a world of increasing inequality I find this topic to be highly sensitive and had we not had a climate emergency around the corner, this would've been my biggest concern for the future of humanity (in the shape we currently know it). ( )