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

Fibroblast cells, which produce connective tissue, are crucial to gene editing and are easy to obtain. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

In an unprecedented procedure, CRISPR gene editing has been used to treat cancer. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025

The real story is about the advancements in gene editing that allow the researchers to target multiple genes at once with relatively high efficiency. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Mar. 2025

From reprogrammed stem cells to next-generation gene editing, 2024 has seen some incredible developments with the potential to become new treatments for a range of chronic and inherited diseases. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gene editing

• accrediting
• discrediting
• crediting