Dr. Barbara Kuemerle, a biology professor at Case Western Reserve University with a PhD in genetics, has long been fascinated by the power of gene-editing technologies like CRISPR. When the technology first gained attention, she recognized that it had revolutionary potential, but also found herself questioning its ethical dilemmas. This curiosity led her to write “KRISPR,” a novel that blends science with a deeply personal narrative.
The story follows a young woman who stumbles upon a breakthrough in gene editing during her undergraduate experience, offering her a chance to cure her father’s Alzheimer’s disease. As Aliya grapples with the power and responsibility of this discovery, the novel delves into the complex intersection of family, morality and ambition. It’s a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of how the promise of scientific progress can tangle with real-world consequences, making it an essential read for anyone curious about where these advancements might take us.
As Dr. Kuemerle discusses in this interview, the novel is a way to connect with a wider audience and spark conversations about science, ethics and the future of genetic research. Quotes have been edited for clarity.
Rithika Karthikeyan: You created “KRISPR” to be very relatable to undergraduate students. At CWRU you have a lot of students involved in undergraduate research, so what advice do you have on trying to balance the promise of new discovery with responsibility to ethics and balance?
Dr. Barbara Kuemerle: I think we’re in a very revolutionary time. I think we’re going to look back at this time as a revolutionary era with SpaceX, AI, genetic engineering and things like that. You really do have to think about what you’re doing and the ethics of it, but I think most of science is okay. Gene editing does raise ethical concerns. AI does, too. Even here at Case, you can see the rise of the bioethics department—it’s huge. Cleveland Clinic now has a big bioethics presence. I’ve talked to students who have shadowed bioethicists at the clinic, and there are questions like: If they’re doing brain surgery where the patient has to stay awake, and the patient decides in the middle of it that they don’t want to continue, what do you do? Do you stop right then, or do you say, “Wait a minute, you signed off on this, you need to finish it?” There’s a lot of complexity.
RK: As you said, CRISPR is starting to pan out. With time and books like yours, how do you think awareness or misinformation about CRISPR has changed, both in the scientific and non-scientific communities?
BK: In the non-scientific community, I still feel like a lot of people don’t know about it. There was a movie and a documentary called “Human Nature,” but it hasn’t really reached the general public. High school biology labs are starting to use it on plants, so younger generations are learning about it, but older generations, unless they’re investors who are familiar with companies like CRISPR Therapeutics, still seem unaware.
In the scientific community, though, it’s taking off. People are using [CRISPR] all over this campus as a tool for their research. Researchers are constantly improving it—finding better ways to use and deliver it. I think it has a lot of promise and nowhere to go but up.
RK: In your podcast episode with “Just in Case,” you mentioned how storytelling can make information more accessible to a wider audience. Does storytelling influence the way you teach your class, BIOL 216?
BK: Absolutely! On a regular basis, we use real-world case studies to put what we’re learning into context. It helps students see the relevance beyond just memorizing facts. I once shared a case about my son’s medical issue—it’s technically a case study, but also a story. Students still tell me they remember that moment because it was personal and salient. In psychology, we know salience helps with memory—if something feels relevant, you’re more likely to remember it. It’s about creating connections in the brain, like using metaphors to explain complex concepts. I find it so profound—it’s vital for scientists to advocate for their work in relatable ways.
RK: You also mentioned in your podcast episode that being in a book club helped you revisit and reshape your perspective on books you initially disliked. With a polarizing issue like CRISPR, where ethical opinions can vary widely, how do you think open discussions can foster better decision-making?
BK: Open discussions foster better understanding. In my book club, I discussed this with family members, including my nephew, who’s a lawyer. He wasn’t sure he saw the ethical concerns, saying, “If it works, it works.” I encouraged him to read more about it and make his own decision. That’s what we need to do: stay informed, consider different perspectives and decide based on our own ethics. Awareness is key. If you don’t know something is happening, you can’t think critically about it. Once you’re informed, you can reflect, form your values and make decisions—whether it’s how you vote or how you approach the topic in your own work.
RK: When people want to become more informed on issues like this, where can they find high-quality information that’s accessible to a wide range of educational backgrounds?
BK: There are some great articles. I mean, if you just google it, there was an article in “Scientific American”, I believe, called “The Dark Side of CRISPR” and that came out a few years ago. “Scientific American” is something that I think most people can read even if they’re non-scientists. It was really interesting because it was by some bioethicists.
RK: This is a lot of very useful information! I’ve got one last question for you – you kind of have two hats here as a scientist and a writer—you’re discovering new things, but you’re also learning how to share them with people. For CWRU students who are playing a similar role in that they’re learning and sharing, what is one last message you’d like to leave with them based on your book?
BK: That’s a great question, especially because I teach a lot of pre-meds, and they’re going to have to talk with non-scientists to explain diagnoses and things like that. I think it would just be to be open-minded and not try to put your ideas onto someone else. You know, just listen. The best writers are the best listeners. You lean in and you listen and hear what people have to say. So that would be my advice: Just, you know, be a good listener. If you’re a good listener, then you can communicate what the individual is focused on.
If you haven’t picked up a copy of KRISPR yet, now’s your chance to dive in. Dr. Kuemerle’s book offers an accessible look at the science and ethics of gene editing, making it a must-read for anyone curious about CRISPR’s impact. Whether you’re interested in bioethics or just looking for a compelling story about family and love, it’s a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the future of genetic research.