gene editing

noun

variants: or genome editing

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of gene 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

Recent Examples of gene editing from the Web

Researchers are exploring ways to use gene editing to treat a range of diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia and sickle cell disease.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Gene Editing Shows Promise In Yale Study," 29 June 2018
Scientists have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to lessen some symptoms of autism in mice.

— emily price, Fortune, "Scientists Successfully Reduce Autism Symptoms in Mice Through Gene Editing," 27 June 2018
However, gene editing technology using a technique called CRISPR is advancing at lightning speed.

— National Geographic, "Could Humans and Dinosaurs Coexist? Here's the Science.," 22 June 2018
That cure might come from the hot new gene editing technology called CRISR.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Vertex Pharmaceuticals opens expanded San Diego research center with focus on cystic fibrosis," 18 June 2018
Just as the exponential miniaturization of silicon wafers propelled the computing industry forward, so too will the massive parallelization of gene editing push the boundaries of biology into the future.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "Biology Will Be the Next Great Computing Platform," 3 May 2018
China is also seeking a lead in gene editing in human medicine and livestock, in some cases pursuing research with fewer regulatory restrictions than U.S. counterparts.

— lucy craymer, WSJ, "Scientists in China Race to Edit Crop Genes, Sowing Unease in U.S.," 6 May 2018
While those companies situate the bulk of their gene editing efforts in the U.S., Syngenta is basing its efforts in Beijing, where around 50 employees now research the technology.

— lucy craymer, WSJ, "Scientists in China Race to Edit Crop Genes, Sowing Unease in U.S.," 6 May 2018
Each new enzyme will not only advance Crispr’s gene editing powers, but extend its capabilities far beyond DNA manipulation.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "The WIRED Guide to Crispr," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gene editing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.