gene editing

noun

variants or genome editing

: the use of biotechnological techniques to make changes to specific DNA sequences in the genome of a living organism

Fundamental research into the ways by which bacteria defend themselves against viruses has recently led to the development of powerful new techniques that make it possible to perform gene editing—that is, precisely altering genetic sequences—in living cells, including those of humans, at much higher accuracy and efficiency than ever before possible.

—David Baltimore et al.

The era of straightforward genome editing raises ethical questions that will need to be addressed by scientists and society at large.

—Jennifer A. Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier

—often hyphenated when used before another noun

a gene-editing technique called CRISPR

Examples of gene editing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Intellia Therapeutics — The gene editing company rallied almost 6% after Citizens JMP upgraded the stock to market outperform and hiked its price target to $33 on enthusiasm for its hereditary angioedema treatment trial. —Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025

So, the research team behind the new work deleted the equivalent region in a fish (the zebrafish) using the gene editing tool CRISPR. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025

What level of progress might now exist in AI and quantum computing, gene editing and space? —Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Recent advances in cloning and gene editing, along with a better understanding of infection control, have led a handful of institutions to breakthroughs transplanting other pig organs — all key steps that could one day lead to an alternative organ supply. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gene editing

• accrediting
• discrediting
• crediting