[Editorial] Genome editing: science, ethics, and public engagement (Lancet)

Over the past 5 years, genome editing has been rapidly emerging in the biological sciences. In 2015, the American Association for the Advancement of Science chose the genome editing technique known as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) as the most promising scientific advancement that year. CRISPR are short sequences that can be used as templates by the CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) or similar exogenous nucleases. When delivered to a cell, the CRISPR-Cas9 system can cut the genome to excise DNA sequences or introduce new ones.