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What Happens When CRISPR Backfires?

Recent research revealed novel problems with the CRISPR technique, delaying human trials

25-Sep-2018

Key points from article :

Gene editing technology may not be as safe as we thought.

Human trials only taken place in China so far, but no results published.

FDA placed a clinical hold on first US trial.

CRISPR-Cas9 works by cutting the DNA at a designated spot.

New studies suggest CRISPR can damage or kill cells.

In 20% of cells CRISPR results in much larger deletions than expected.

Researchers had only looked for mutations in immediate vicinity of the cut.

New techniques - REPAIR, Cas13 and ABE7 may overcome these problems.

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Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Ensuring safety of drugs, medical supplies and food which is used daily.

Topics mentioned on this page:
Gene Therapy