As genetics becomes one more information technology to be used as we see fit, the possibilities are mind-boggling. In this comprehensive study of the past, present, and future of genetic engineering, Metzl, a senior fellow for technology and national security at the Atlantic Council, gives us a taste of what’s possible—which is nothing less than the ability to build life from scratch. Presenting the science and ethics of discoveries that offer us the power to design our children, extend our lifespans, and recreate plants and animals, Metzl shows us a revolution like none other, one that could redefine every facet of what it means to be human.