Abstract

MARFANY, Gemma. Open questions and challenges of gene editing. Rev. Bioética y Derecho [online]. 2019, n.47, pp.17-31.  Epub Dec 16, 2019. ISSN 1886-5887.

Gene editing using CRISPR has completely revolutionized the research in biotechnology and biomedicine. This powerful and versatile technique enables the precise edition of genes from any organism. Even though the technique is so effective and amenable, many questions remain to be solved before the final genetic outcome can be fully controlled, particularly in its uses on the human genome. In this article, I discuss the current strengths and weaknesses of the technique. I also pose other open questions on gene editing, such as whether it should be used for either therapy or genetic enhancement, and whether it should be used only on somatic cells or also for embryo gene editing, the latter resulting in the modification of future human beings.

Keywords : gene editing; genetic modification; germinal cells; gene therapy; gene drive.

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