Extreme Genetic Engineering

CRISPR gene editing creates unwanted DNA changes

The popular new gene editing tool, CRISPR-Cas9, is not as precise as some have thought: undesired DNA deletions and rearrangements can slip through undetected. These changes, seen before in CRISPR and other gene editing tools, could hamper development of reliable therapies and confuse interpretation of results. “I do think this has been underappreciated by the […]

EU court rules that products from gene editing should be regulated as GMOs

In a major victory for opponents of genetically engineered foods, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) recently made a precedent setting decision that all new types of genetic engineering techniques, including gene editing/CRISPR, need to be regulated as GMOs. This decision, which was in response to a case filed by Friends of the Earth France, […]

Consumer advocates criticize NSF’s non-GMO certification of sweetener derived from GMO yeast

They say NSF’s True North non-GMO certification of Cargill’s EverSweet synthetic biology sweetener sets a “dangerous precedent;” product would not be certified by the Non-GMO Project.

Mail-order DNA, DIY gene tinkering: looming catastrophe?

Gene editing technology has become accessible to biohackers of all ages and stripes—sending ripples of alarm through academic and non-scientific circles alike. “To unleash something deadly… could really happen any day now,” said Dr. George Church, leading synthetic biologist. Using tools like Crispr-Cas9, hackers “glue” DNA fragments (easily purchased on Science Exchange, a Craigslist for […]