Crispr editing of certain genes could trigger cell death
Researchers identify more than 3000 spots in the human genome where gene editing could cause toxic side effects and genomic instability
Targeting one of more than 3000 sites within the human genome with Crispr-Cas9 gene editing could lead to unwanted effects like cell death and genomic instability.
Crispr gene editing won the chemistry Nobel prize in 2020. Adapted from bacteria, it can introduce, modify or inactivate DNA sequences. Since its discovery, Crispr has become a popular tool for genomic research and is being tested for treating blood disorders, cancer and viruses such as HIV.