Modified Policy for a Genetically Modified World

Gene Editing: Science and Policy Implications CRISPR-Cas9 and other powerful gene editing tools hold extraordinary promise for furthering science and addressing complex human health challenges, including the development of clinical therapies for genetic diseases and improvements in infectious disease control through modification of disease-carrying vectors. These tools may also be used to make heritable changes that are passed to future generations through human germline editing, or strategies such as gene drives in vector species. While gene editing can advance human health and well-being, the developments enabled by CRISPR may be outpacing the capability of regulatory and governance mechanisms to assess the range of safety, ethical, and social concerns they pose. This session explores challenges posed by gene editing in humans or in support of human health, and discusses opportunities to develop governance frameworks. Speakers will draw on recent reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that analyze the implications of gene-editing technology, including recommendations for appropriate oversight frameworks.