How CRISPR evaded congressional concern

Last year, after a researcher in China unveiled an ethically fraught CRISPR experiment, there was gnashing of teeth in the halls of science and calls for moratoria. But in Washington, D.C., where things can tend toward the reactionary, there was nary a hearing, let alone a piece of legislation.

And that’s probably not a coincidence. As STAT’s Nick Florko reports, the biotech companies at work on CRISPR have employed a small group of lobbyists on Capitol Hill. Their mission hasn’t been to push specific policy but rather to educate lawmakers about the science of genome editing. And the lack of congressional controversy over the CRISPR babies scandal suggests the effort is working.

“For an issue that really is so consequential about the future of literally the shape of humanity, ... you would think that our elected representatives would be more interested,” said Marcy Darnovsky, the head of the Center For Genetics and Society.

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