Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Technology Factsheet: Genome Editing
What is Genome Editing?
Genome Editing (also called “gene editing”) is defined as “a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA.” These technologies edit DNA through adding, altering, or removing genetic material at target places inside the human genome. Genome editing is not new—scientists have used various techniques to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for decades. Yet the application to humans was limited because the methods were slow, costly, and not considered safe or reliable to deliver the treatment in humans. The discovery of a system called CRISPR-Cas9 led to faster, cheaper, and more accurate than existing gene editing systems such as ZFNs and TALENs. CRISPR-Cas9 was adapted from a naturally occurring genome editing system of bacteria used to protect cells from viral infections. CRISPR has been shown to work in human cells by cutting DNA at a predetermined target site, allowing scientists to then insert a different DNA sequence.
Download the Full Document:
For more information on this publication:
Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation:
Susan Winterberg, Carmel Shachar, Jeantine Lunshof, Joshua Grolman. Ed. Bogdan Belei. “Technology Factsheet Series: Genome Editing” Paper, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, June 2019.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Report
- Belfer Center for Science and International affairs and Shorenstein Center for Media, Politics and Public Policy
Big Tech and Democracy: The Critical Role of Congress
Analysis & Opinions
- MIT Technology Review
What I Learned from the People who Built the Atom Bomb
Book Chapter
Patents and Innovation in Biotechnology and Genomics
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Journal Article
- Research Policy
The Relationship Between Science and Technology
Analysis & Opinions
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
AI and Trust
Policy Brief
- Quarterly Journal: International Security
Nonfatal Casualties and the Changing Costs of War
What is Genome Editing?
Genome Editing (also called “gene editing”) is defined as “a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA.” These technologies edit DNA through adding, altering, or removing genetic material at target places inside the human genome. Genome editing is not new—scientists have used various techniques to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for decades. Yet the application to humans was limited because the methods were slow, costly, and not considered safe or reliable to deliver the treatment in humans. The discovery of a system called CRISPR-Cas9 led to faster, cheaper, and more accurate than existing gene editing systems such as ZFNs and TALENs. CRISPR-Cas9 was adapted from a naturally occurring genome editing system of bacteria used to protect cells from viral infections. CRISPR has been shown to work in human cells by cutting DNA at a predetermined target site, allowing scientists to then insert a different DNA sequence.
Download the Full Document:
Susan Winterberg, Carmel Shachar, Jeantine Lunshof, Joshua Grolman. Ed. Bogdan Belei. “Technology Factsheet Series: Genome Editing” Paper, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, June 2019.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Report - Belfer Center for Science and International affairs and Shorenstein Center for Media, Politics and Public Policy
Big Tech and Democracy: The Critical Role of Congress
Analysis & Opinions - MIT Technology Review
What I Learned from the People who Built the Atom Bomb
Book Chapter
Patents and Innovation in Biotechnology and Genomics
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Journal Article - Research Policy
The Relationship Between Science and Technology
Analysis & Opinions - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
AI and Trust
Policy Brief - Quarterly Journal: International Security
Nonfatal Casualties and the Changing Costs of War