Every serious writer knows by reading well-written books, they can improve their own skills as an author. I consciously try to make time in my schedule to read books.Though generally I don't read speculative fiction thrillers, an author friend recently published her first novel, Broken Code, book one of The Helix Chronicles trilogy. It immediately attracted my attention because it looks at the potential misuse of CRISPR technology (in development to modify human genes.) This is already being used in clinical trials on a limited basis, but its full potential is on the cusp of exploding! Monica Chase has written a provocative thriller that is a warning about how this technology can have a profound impact on the future of the human race!
I recently interviewed Monica about her motivation and her process of writing, as well as her plans for extending her story. I know I can't wait to read her sequels.

Brenda: What made you want to write Broken Code?
Monica: I’ve always been the “why” kid—constantly asking how things work and, more importantly, what’s next. That curiosity, much to my mom’s endless patience, never faded. As a lifelong tech lover and science buff, I’ve spent countless nights pondering today’s headlines and the possibilities looming on the horizon.
The clash between flawed, emotional humans and relentless, unfeeling technology has always fascinated me. It’s not just about innovation; it’s about the cost of progress and who gets left behind. With Broken Code, I set out to explore those themes through a story that feels urgent, thought-provoking, and deeply human.
Memphis was the perfect backdrop for those ideas. Its grit, flaws, and determination mirror the story’s tension, while the city’s complex history adds authenticity and depth I hope resonate with readers.
My favorite books are the ones that linger long after the final page. That’s the kind of story I wanted to write—one that inspires readers to question the cost of innovation and reflect on what I see as our rapidly eroding humanity. I’m not anti-tech—far from it. But as a society, we rarely ask if we should cross a line until we’ve already done it.
Brenda: Do you have a scientific background? How did you do the research to learn about CRISPR technology?
Monica: While I don’t have a formal scientific background, I’m endlessly curious about the intersections of technology and humanity. For Broken Code, I dove into research—scientific papers, expert interviews, and resources for non-scientists—ensuring the science felt grounded and believable.
One of the most eye-opening discoveries was the global patchwork of CRISPR regulations. In the United States, privately funded germline gene editing that permanently changes the DNA in eggs, sperm, or embryos isn’t explicitly banned. In theory, someone could conduct non-clinical research in a private lab, but selling such a therapy that passes changed DNA to future generations, would require FDA approval—a hurdle no one has attempted to clear so far.
Japan, on the other hand, has relatively light regulations and allows scientists to grow human cells in animal embryos, aiming eventually to grow transplantable human organs. Russia’s stance is less transparent; while their public position aligns with the World Health Organization’s opposition to human embryo editing, their regulatory framework remains ambiguous.
CRISPR is mind-blowing, but speculative fiction lets me push its boundaries, creating scenarios that are as thrilling as they are terrifying. Writing this book was like standing at the edge of a “what if” cliff—imagining what happens if we take a few more steps toward that edge.
My research folder is full of things that kept me up at night. Some may inspire future stories because once you uncover something this compelling, it’s impossible not to wonder: What’s next?
Brenda: Do you feel that the growth of CRISPR technology is equivalent to opening a Pandora's Box?
Monica: Absolutely. CRISPR is like holding Pandora’s Box in one hand and the blueprint for curing humanity’s worst ailments in the other. It’s awe-inspiring—and dangerously powerful. Once opened, the real question became: who decides how far we go and which lines we shouldn’t cross?
In Broken Code, I dive into that tension: the promise of genetic perfection against the messy, unpredictable consequences of rewriting life itself.
CRISPR is revolutionary, but Bridge RNA—the next leap in genetic editing—takes it further. While CRISPR works like precise scissors, cutting DNA and relying on natural repair mechanisms that can be imperfect, Bridge RNA acts more like a "find and replace" tool, seamlessly editing DNA with greater precision and fewer risks. If bridge RNA can be successfully applied to human cells, it could surpass CRISPR in revolutionizing gene editing.
At its core, these technologies aren’t inherently good or evil—they’re tools. The real danger lies in who wields them and why. Writing this book let me imagine how quickly things could spiral when ambition, greed, or even well-meaning intentions collide with something this powerful. Pandora’s Box is open, and there’s no shutting it now.
Brenda: What do you, personally, see as the pros and cons of this technology? Do your personal views mirror the way you present the characters' views of the technology in Broken Code?
Monica: The pros of CRISPR are undeniable—eliminating genetic diseases, extending lifespans, and revolutionizing medicine. But the cons are equally staggering: widening inequality, designer humans, and even weaponized biology. It’s a double-edged sword that demands careful consideration.
Personally, I welcome breakthroughs that reduce suffering, but I worry about how those breakthroughs are used. Governments? Corporations? A select group of elites? The ripples from those decisions are impossible to predict. While private equity has been cautious about this high risk genetic technology, the clinical trials and research have advanced at a staggering pace.
For me, the biggest challenge in writing this book was balancing the science with the storytelling. I wanted to convey the facts and dangers without coming across as too much of a science wonk. The goal was to immerse readers in a world where the stakes feel real without overwhelming them with technical details.
To me, the looming question is whether ending human suffering and advancing science—efforts requiring billions of dollars—can coexist without being derailed by power, politics, and uneven regulations. It’s an ethical minefield wrapped in ambition, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Brenda: Why did you choose to tell the story through the characters of Harper, an attorney who is passionate about issues of social justice, and Adam, a rather rebellious journalist? Were Erin Brockovich or Robert Woodward models for your characters? Were they modeled after any real-life people?
Monica: Harper is, without question, inspired in part by Erin Brockovich. She’s fierce, relentless, and unafraid to take on powerful forces—qualities I deeply admire. Through her, I wanted to highlight my hometown’s history of corruption and injustice. Memphis has a complex relationship with power, and Harper’s grit felt like the perfect lens to explore how the law can both protect and fail people.
Her last name, “Brasfield,” is a nod to my grandmother, but the nickname “Brass” was all me. It suits her—a mix of unyielding strength and surprising softness if you push the right way.
Harper is methodical and rooted in the law, but she’s also a crusader—hot-headed and unwilling to back down when it matters.
Adam is less impulsive, but equally relentless. He lives by the belief that “sunshine is the best disinfectant,” and he sees it as his duty to expose hidden truths. He’s not reckless, but he’s unyielding. In retrospect, I can see some similarities between Adam and my brother, who shares his name.
What I loved most about writing them is how their stubbornness both complements and clashes. They’re headstrong in different ways, and their partnership teetered on the edge of falling apart more than once. But that friction made them stronger. Harper’s passion tempers Adam’s zeal, and together they pushed me to explore CRISPR’s ethical dilemmas through the lenses of justice, truth, power, and accountability.
Brenda: How many Americans do you think are even aware of CRISPR technology? I know elite investors are into this (maybe not as much as AI), but it speaks to your concern that it may be ripe for the picking of wealthy elites who want to play God, and to me this is terrifying.
Monica: Surprisingly few. In 2016, a survey found that only 48% of Americans had even heard of gene editing, and just 9% felt they knew much about it. While awareness has likely grown, CRISPR still doesn’t grab the flashy headlines that AI does—and that’s a problem.
That’s what scares me: CRISPR isn’t “sexy” like AI. It’s quietly reshaping the world while most people remain unaware. And when awareness is low, it’s easier for a select few to control decisions that will impact everyone.
Private biotech companies are already offering gene therapies targeting chronic disease and aging. Take the tech CEO who spends $2 million a year on anti-aging treatments. His story made headlines, but what about the quieter work happening in labs around the globe? Where are those stories?
This is exactly why I centered CRISPR in Broken Code. I wanted to pull back the curtain on these quiet revolutions—technologies that rarely make headlines but have the power to change humanity forever. The scariest part? It’s not just about what we can do—it’s about who’s already doing it and why.
Brenda: Are you aware of any real-life examples of CRISPR technology being used on humans?
Monica: Absolutely, CRISPR is already making waves—both inspiring and unsettling. One of the most controversial examples involved a Chinese scientist who edited the genes of twin girls to make them resistant to HIV. It was the first use of CRISPR on human embryos and sparked global outrage. He faced prison time for violating medical regulations and is reportedly working on new gene-editing projects, raising questions about accountability and oversight.
On the clinical side, CRISPR is being used to treat diseases like sickle cell anemia, genetic disorders, and even cancer. There’s also work to restore sight in people with inherited blindness. These breakthroughs feel like science fiction—but they’re happening now.
CRISPR’s potential is enormous, but so are the risks. Stories like these remind me why CRISPR felt like the perfect focus for Broken Code. It’s the ultimate “what if” technology—capable of amazing things, but with consequences we might not fully understand until it’s too late.
Brenda: Of anyone in the world, who would you most like to sit down and have a conversation with? What would you talk about?
Monica: If I could sit down with anyone, it would be George Church and Jennifer Doudna—two visionaries reshaping the future of humanity. Church, a Harvard geneticist, is pushing the boundaries of synthetic biology, from editing human genes for disease resistance to attempting to bring back the woolly mammoth. But with work like his, the ethical lines are constantly shifting. I’d ask him: Where is the line you won’t cross? Has it moved over time? In a 2015 New York Times article, described him as someone who “tends to see the universe not as a disparate set of mysteries but as a machine with a vast array of buttons and levers, each begging to be pushed and pulled.”
Doudna, the co-inventor of CRISPR, revolutionized gene editing but has been outspoken about its ethical implications. She once had a nightmare in which Adolf Hitler wanted to learn about CRISPR—a chilling metaphor for how easily such power could be misused. A vocal advocate for responsible research, she champions open dialogue and transparent regulations. I’d ask her: How do you balance pride in your breakthroughs with the weight of their potential consequences?
Both embody the double-edged nature of scientific progress: the extraordinary good it can achieve and the risks it carries. A conversation with them wouldn’t just be inspiring—it would leave me with more questions than answers.
Brenda: I hear a sequel is well underway. What can readers expect from your second novel?
Monica: It is! Echoes of Control is set for release in Spring 2025. This sequel dives deeper into the world of Broken Code, exploring the fallout and lingering consequences of the first book. It unpacks the aftershocks, delivering new twists, higher stakes, and a satisfying resolution—at least for now. (Grins.)
I can share a bit about the story: Harper and Lucas are drawn further into a web of conspiracy spanning governments, corporations, and hidden agendas. The choices they face will test their convictions, loyalties, and relationships in unexpected ways. Readers can expect a fast-paced exploration of the ethical and personal consequences of genetic manipulation—and shocking twists that may leave them questioning everything.
If Broken Code was about uncovering a dangerous conspiracy, Echoes of Control is about the ripple effects—the consequences that spiral beyond control and the human cost of ambition. It’s still the high-stakes, fast-paced ride readers loved, but with a sharper focus on the aftermath, the cost of progress, and the tension between salvation and destruction.
The final installment of The Helix Chronicles, Soul’s Horizon, is slated for late 2025. Let’s just say—it’s going to be a wild ride. My goal? To leave readers so stunned by the final page that they need a walk around the block to process it. And after that, I hope they set a Google alert for genetic editing.
Brenda: Thank you, Monica, for sharing a glimpse behind the scenes of Broken Code. You can find her book on Amazon and other online booksellers. I hope many of you will read and love this book as much as I did.
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