George M. Church
George M. Church is an American author and scientist whose works have inspired millions of readers for over three decades. Though his academic contributions have been chiefly in the field of genetics, Church’s writing has transcended scientific circles and has consistently addressed the importance of human values in a rapidly changing world. The recurring theme of Church’s work is the relevance and implications of scientific progress, and how it impacts both the individuals within society and the world as a whole.
Church was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1954 to two sociology professors. From an early age, he was encouraged to develop an analytical and inquisitive mind, which eventually led him to pursue a PhD in genetics. After studying at Harvard, UC Berkeley, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Church received his doctorate in 1985, and has since become one of the world’s foremost geneticists. His successes in this field, combined with his leadership and his willingness to take on risky research projects, have earned him numerous awards including the Gruber Prize for Genetics, the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, and the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award.
Regardless of his accomplishments in genetics, Church’s writing has proven to be his most remarkable escape. In 1988, he released his first book, Regenesis, which focused on genetically engineering humans, from the perspective of an informed scientist. The book was met with both praise and criticism, with some commentators claiming that Church had adopted an overly optimistic stance, and that his writing was “unrealistic in its promise of salvation through technology.”
Since the release of Regenesis, Church has gone on to write seven additional books. His most recent novel, The Grand Design, was released in 2018 and focuses on how humans can draw upon the forces of nature in order to create a better future. While all of Church’s books feature characters and plotlines, they are primarily narrative essays in which he expresses his perspectives on the current state of humanity, while providing tangible solutions to the challenges faced by humanity in the 21st century.
Despite his success as an author, Church continues to pursue his research endeavours. Presently, he is exploring how the complexities of the human genome can be applied to the treatment of human disease, and how genomic sequencing can improve decisions related to healthcare. As Church himself has explained: “It’s not just about figuring out what’s wrong and fixing it. We must also figure out what’s right and then maximize it.”
Though Church has encountered criticism from various circles, it is clear that his contributions to the scientific, literary, and academic worlds have been significant. In addition to the awards previously mentioned, Church has been awarded the President’s Award for Science, Technology, and the Arts in 2009, and holds the distinction of being the only non-Canadian to be appointed to the Order of Canada. Additionally, Church is an advocate for a better, more equitable society, speaking at conferences and events around the world to promote tolerance and acceptance, while also taking action to support his beliefs.
George M. Church has certainly earned his place in the scientific and literary fields, and the impact of his works has been felt far and wide. As he continues his contributions to both science and society, it will be interesting to see what unexpected ideas and lessons Church will bring to the spotlight in the years to come.
