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Hello _Nature _readers, would you like to get this Briefing in your inbox free every day? Sign up here CRISPR WREAKS MAYHEM IN HUMAN EMBRYOS Three experiments that use the gene-editing tool

CRISPR–Cas9 to modify human embryos have revealed how the process can make large, unwanted changes to the genome at or near the target site. These safety concerns are likely to inform the

debate over whether scientists should edit human embryos to prevent genetic diseases — a process that is controversial because it would create a permanent change to the genome that can be

passed down for generations. “If human embryo editing for reproductive purposes or germline editing were space flight, the new data are the equivalent of having the rocket explode at the

launch pad before take-off,” says Fyodor Urnov, who studies genome editing. Nature | 5 min read Reference: bioRxiv preprint 1, bioRxiv preprint 2 & bioRxiv preprint 3 QUIET

NEIGHBOURHOOD, TWO NICE PLANETS A nearby red dwarf star is giving astronomers a glimpse at the sort of peaceful stellar neighbourhood where life might be able to survive. The star, called GJ

887, is remarkable because it is relatively peaceful and doesn’t emit flares or harmful radiation. It also hosts two planets that are a little more massive than Earth. “It’s the best star

in close proximity to the Sun to understand whether its planets have atmospheres and whether they have life,” says astronomer Sandra Jeffers. Nature | 4 min read _Reference: __Science paper_

NIH’S NEW SEXUAL-HARASSMENT RULES ARE STILL TOO WEAK, SAY CRITICS The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) this month published new guidelines for tracking sexual-harassment complaints

involving scientists funded by the agency. The actions it will take when alerted to reports of unsafe behaviour include restricting scientists from peer-review panels and holding back

pending grants. Advocates who have campaigned for changes at the agency say the rules are still weaker than those issued by other funding agencies, such as the US National Science

Foundation. Nature | 4 min read COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE INDIA FACES TRUE SCALE OF EPIDEMIC Epidemiologist Jayaprakash Muliyil, who has been advising the Indian government, says that

coronavirus infections are rising rapidly in the country, and the low death rate could be misleading. “The problem with death as an indicator is that a COVID-19 death has to be certified as

such,” says Muliyil — which requires a test. “With a population of 1.3 billion, what do you think is the proportion of people that has access to this kind of testing? It is very low.” Nature

| 6 min read 35 The median age of residents testing positive for the virus in the US state of Florida, down from 65 in March — part of a worrying rise in infections among younger people in

the United States. (The New York Times | 13 min read) FEATURES & OPINION FIVE WAYS TO ENSURE THAT MODELS SERVE SOCIETY Pandemic politics highlight how predictions need to be transparent

and humble, argue 22 scholars. They present five principles to help society demand quality modelling that invites insight, not blame. “We are calling not for an end to quantification, nor

for apolitical models, but for full and frank disclosure,” they write. “Ignore the five, and model predictions become Trojan horses for unstated interests and values.” Nature | 9 min read

THIS IS WHAT A SCIENTIST LOOKS LIKE Ask people to picture a scientist, and what do many imagine? All too often, the answer is: a white man in a white lab coat. The film _Picture a Scientist_

shows why, writes reviewer Alexandra Witze. Systemic racism, sexual harassment and institutional bias permeate the stories of three female scientists — analytical chemist Raychelle Burks,

biologist Nancy Hopkins and geoscientist Jane Willenbring — who have survived and thrived. Nature | 5 min read PODCAST: POKER IS THE GAME WE NEED NOW On a mission to understand the nature of

chance, psychologist Maria Konnikova decided to master a game that “involves just enough luck and just enough skill to resemble the messiness of reality”. Konnikova told the _Nature

_Podcast how poker can help people make better decisions — and is just what we need in these uncertain times. Nature Podcast | 27 min listen Read more: _Nature_’s review of Konnikova’s new

book by fellow scientist and poker player Liv Boeree. (2 min read) Subscribe to the _Nature Podcast_ on iTunes, Google Podcasts or Spotify. POSTDOCTORAL SURVEY Please take our first-ever

postdoctoral-researcher survey. “We’re hoping to hear from postdoctoral researchers from around the world,” says Karen Kaplan, senior editor of the _Nature _Careers section. “These

scientists help form the foundation of academic research, but they don’t always get the recognition they deserve. We’re eager to hear what they have on their minds, especially during these

difficult times.” Everyone that responds has a chance to win £250 (US$310), or local equivalent. Please click here to take the survey. WHERE I WORK There are only 400 or so North Atlantic

right whales (_Eubalaena glacialis_) left, and biologist Christin Khan spends much of her time in a small, slow-flying aeroplane to track the fortunes of individual members of this

endangered species. The work is dangerous, but also helps to give ships warning to slow down and avoid collisions. “I’ve devoted my whole career to this species and it’s hard to watch them

careening towards extinction.” (Nature | 2 min read) QUOTE OF THE DAY “I BEAR THE FULL WEIGHT OF MY EXPERIENCES, MY PERSPECTIVES, AND MY COMMUNITY AS I WORK TIRELESSLY TO ADVANCE THE

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH ENTERPRISE AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ALL AMERICANS. EVERY MEETING IS MY PROTEST. EVERY PROTEST IS EXHAUSTING. THERE IS A PRICE THAT I PAY EVERY SINGLE DAY.” Physician and

neuroscientist Kafui Dzirasa describes the emotional and intellectual toll of being a Black scientist in the United States. (Cell | 6 min read)