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

Photosynthesis is woefully inefficient—even some of the most productive crops convert less than one per cent of the solar energy that hits them into calories—so streamlining the process, via gene editing, could produce significant gains. —Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

The treatment involved giving KJ an IV infusion with the gene editing therapy included in lipid nanoparticles that were taken in by liver cells. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025

Their case study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrates the powerful potential of precision gene editing for rare diseases. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2025

On top of this, the two firms are also looking to deliver advanced gene editing technologies designed to increase crop yields. —David Flower, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gene editing

• accrediting
• discrediting
• crediting