JAMA Network | JAMA | Ethical and Societal Questions Loom Large as Gene Editing Moves Closer to the Clinic

JAMA Network | JAMA | Ethical and Societal Questions Loom Large as Gene Editing Moves Closer to the Clinic

Ethical and Societal Questions Loom Large as Gene Editing Moves Closer to the Clinic FREE ONLINE FIRST

Tracy Hampton, PhD

JAMA. Published online January 25, 2016. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.19150

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Over the last few decades, researchers have developed innovative techniques for altering genetic sequences. More recently, scientific breakthroughs have greatly reduced the cost and complexity of making highly targeted changes in living cells. There is consensus among experts that these advances could have wide-ranging clinical applications. Although the advances may have the potential to prevent or even cure a variety of diseases when used in adults, children, and even fetuses or gametes, they also raise many important ethical and societal questions.