7 ways CRISPR gene editing could transform our lives

[W]e asked a variety of scientists what they think are realistically the most exciting ways that scientists might one day change the world using CRISPR.

Figure out what different genes actually do

By knocking out certain genes and then looking at what effects that has, the technology has the potential to help scientists vastly improve their understanding of different genomes. “That’s one of the most exciting uses,” says Jennifer Doudna, one of the early CRISPR pioneers at the University of California Berkeley.

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Develop new cancer treatments

Scientists have already been exploring how CRISPR might be used to treat certain types of cancer for a few years…Luke Gilbert of the University of California San Francisco tells us that he’s excited about using CRISPR to make safer and more effective suppressors for tumors caused by “mistakes” in the DNA.

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Destroy viruses like HIV, herpes, and hepatitis

Bryan Richard Cullen at Duke Medical Center says CRISPR can be used to target and destroy these persistent DNA viruses in ways researchers haven’t be able to before.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: CRISPR will be a huge story in 2017. Here are 7 things to look for.