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An illustration of DNA
Image: Science Photo Library/IMAGOImage: Science Photo Library/IMAGO

CRISPR-cas9 (human gene therapy)

Human gene therapy is a method of modifying a person's genes to treat or cure disease. Gene therapies can replace or inactivate a disease-causing gene with a healthy copy of the same gene.

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All Content on this topic

A Nobel Prize medal, with an image of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, being forged with a blow torch

Is the Nobel Prize still relevant today?

The Nobel Prize faces criticism over how winners are chosen, and may give a warped idea of scientific progress.
ScienceOctober 7, 2024
An illustration of a needle inside a cell, symbolizing CRISPR gene editing

Gene therapy trials treat inherited blindness and deafness

Two separate gene therapy trials have restored vision and hearing in people born with congenital blindness or deafness.
ScienceMay 9, 2024
This electron microscope image provided by the National Institutes of Health in 2016 shows a blood cell altered by sickle cell disease

US approves CRISPR gene-editing to treat sickle cell disease

The treatment uses the revolutionary gene-editing tool CRISPR to permanently change DNA in the patient's blood cells.
HealthDecember 8, 2023
CRISPR protein as seen in a computer-generated image against a purple background

First CRISPR drug for sickle cell disease to be approved

A CRISPR drug to treat sickle cell disease may be approved by the US drug regulator in early December.
ScienceNovember 2, 2023
DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Transforming farming – and feeding the world sustainably

Are there ways to feed the world without destroying the planet? Global Us shows how.
Food SecurityAugust 4, 202326:06 min
A worker looking after seedlings in a breeding base in China

Food security: Can AI and gene editing tackle global hunger?

Experts say we need to create high-yield, climate-resistant plants to feed the global population.
Nature and EnvironmentJuly 17, 2023
3D-rendering of DNA

The Human Genome: Global DNA data gets diversity bump

Scientists say they have added DNA diversity to our understanding of human genetics with new ‘pangenome’ data.
ScienceMay 10, 2023
Microscope image of needle puncturing cell

Designer babies already exist — their creator went to jail

Right or wrong, gene therapies are here to stay. How does gene editing work and what are its limits?
ScienceApril 20, 2023
Logo "Global 3000"

Global 3000 – The Globalization Show     

Fentanyl deaths reach a record high in the US. Can changing the genetic code of plants make them drought-resistant?
GlobalizationFebruary 20, 202326:06 min
Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2022 winners Barry Sharpless, Morten Meldal and Carolyn R. Bertozzie. © Johan Jarnestad/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Nobel Prize: Trio wins 2022 award for 'click chemistry'

Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morten Meldal and K. Barry Sharpless have been awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
ScienceOctober 5, 2022
Illustration of human sperm

Life and ethics in an 'era of genetics'

The promise of genetics is huge: From cloning dead animals to securing our survival on Earth. But what of the ethics?
ScienceJuly 27, 2022
DW Projekt Zukunft Sendungslogo Englisch (Tomorrow Today)

Tomorrow Today - The Science Magazine

Humans are reshaping themselves and their environment with tools from genetic scissors to holography.
ScienceJuly 22, 202226:06 min
On the Green Fence 210311 Podcast Picture Teaser ROAD

Are GM crops the answer to world hunger?

Genetically modified crops could help boost food security in times of climate change. Time for a rethink?
Nature and EnvironmentMay 6, 202240:23 min
Escherichia coli bacteria with a DNA double helix in the background

CRISPR-Cas9: A new weapon against superbugs?

A technology to edit genes could help us eliminate antibiotic-resistant superbugs, a new study has found.
ScienceNovember 10, 2021
DW Projekt Zukunft Sendungslogo Englisch (Tomorrow Today)

Tomorrow Today -- The Science Magazine

Genome editing could make food crops fit for the future. Also: Fighting polar bear boredom and cloning preserves species
ScienceOctober 8, 202126:01 min
Generic image illustrating a person's DNA in letters in green on a computer screen, with an "error" code in red

Who's responsible for your genes?

We inherit genes like it's a lottery — luck. And we're still learning about genetics and what to do with the science.
ScienceSeptember 23, 2021
Woolly mammoths walking in a snow-covered field

Biotech firm says it can resurrect extinct woolly mammoth

The Colossal bioscience company claims CRISPR genetic technology can be used to de-extinct the animal.
ScienceSeptember 14, 2021
Nobelpreis für Chemie 2020 Emmanuelle Charpentier, Jennifer A. Doudna

Nobel Prize goes to female duo for CRISPR-Cas9

Chemical scientists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna have been awarded the the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
ScienceOctober 7, 2020
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SARS-CoV-2: Man-made virus?

How do you analyze a novel virus? And how can you work out whether it's a natural virus, or an artificial one?
ScienceMay 20, 202003:25 min
An embryo receives a small dose of Cas9 protein and PCSK9 sgRNA in a sperm injection microscope in a laboratory in Shenzhen

Genetically edited babies: An ethical transgression

A Chinese scientist has been jailed for genetic manipulation in a case likely to increase already heated debate.
ScienceDecember 30, 2019
He Jiankui speaks about the procedure in his lab

China jails scientists for gene-edited babies

A court has found Chinese scientist He Jiankui guilty of illegal medical practice.
Law and JusticeDecember 30, 2019
A DNA model of the double helix

Prime Editing: More precise genetic scissors?

Prime Editing takes a different approach to snipping DNA. The result: fewer errors and improved safety.
ScienceOctober 22, 2019
Round bumps of the HIV virus are seen sitting on on the surface of an infected cell

HIV completely removed from mice in world first

Scientists completely removed HIV from mice for the first time, giving hope that a cure could be on the horizon.
HealthJuly 4, 2019
A DNA double helix molecule

CRISPR-Cas9 babies likely to die earlier

A study shows the children genetically manipulated by Chinese researcher He Jiankui have a shorter life expectancy.
ScienceJune 3, 2019
China Shanghai - China klont erstmals mehrere genveränderte Affen

China wants to protect its genetic engineering reputation

China wants to distract from its lax ethical standards. In reality, authorities approved gene editing of human embryos.
ScienceJanuary 24, 2019
An embryo receives a small amount of Cas9 protein and sgRNA under a microscope

China stops research into gene-editing after 'CRISPR baby'

A government spokesperson called He's supposedly genetically edited babies "unacceptable."
ScienceNovember 29, 2018
CRISPR/Cas9 technology in use

Stop human gene editing!

Artificially modifying human genes must not be tolerated, says DW's Fabian Schmidt.
BusinessNovember 27, 2018
A humanoid-looking robot

Scientists are 'rotten forecasters'

It's tough predicting the future. But that hasn't stopped the British Astronomer Royal, Martin Rees. He spoke to DW.
ScienceSeptember 28, 2018
Deutsche Welle Fabian Schmidt App NEU

EU risks being left behind after GMO ruling

Fabian Schmidt
The European Court of Justice's ruling on on a new set of genetic engineering techniques is a setback for research.
ScienceJuly 25, 2018
Symbolbild "Genfood"

Is CRISPR-Cas9 actually "genetic engineering"?

On Wednesday the ECJ will decide whether CRISPR-Cas9 is "genetic engineering". What is the verdict about?
ScienceJuly 24, 2018
DNA helix illustration

Gene editing causes multiple mutations

A British study shows that gene editing does not work as well as previously assumed and causes unwanted mutations.
ScienceJuly 19, 2018
CRISPR/Cas9

Designer babies could be ethical: experts

Experts say hacking the genes of an unborn child to reduce its risk of developing cancer could be permissible.
ScienceJuly 17, 2018
Symbolbild Bäuerin auf den Philippinen

Is gene-edited food the future?

Scientists say gene-edited crops can ensure food security against climate change. But environmentalists are wary.
Nature and EnvironmentJanuary 5, 2018
Biohacking Toplab Berlin

Genetic engineering from your garage

They do research in kitchens and in garages. Their creations range from water filters to genetically modified organisms.
ScienceJanuary 4, 2018
Fotomontage Nobelpreisträger Chemie 2017 ENG

Chemistry Nobel awarded for cryo-electron microscopy

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was won by three researchers for the development of cryo-electron microscopy.
ScienceOctober 4, 2017
Wing patterns of a normal Painted Lady butterfly (left) compared to a mutant generated with CRISPR (right)

Gene-hacking tool unlocks secrets of butterfly colors

Gene-editing tool helps reveal the secrets of butterfly wings.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 20, 2017
external

Does this chip revolutionize gene therapy?

Researchers at the OSU Wexner Medical Center have developed a micro chip, which can transfer genetic code into cells, without any surgery. How does it work? Take a look!
ScienceAugust 15, 201700:55 min
Tierzucht in Sauenanlage

Leap made towards pig-to-human transplants

Harvard researchers have used a controversial gene-editing technique to clone piglets free of harmful viruses.
ScienceAugust 10, 2017
USA Portland Embryos

'Milestone' technique corrects genetic mutation

Scientists say they have corrected a disease-causing genetic mutation in human embryos for the first time.
ScienceAugust 2, 2017
Bento Lab

Why a mobile DNA lab is not just for Christmas

Bento Lab is DNA analysis and education in one. Co-founder Bethan Wolfenden says we all need to understand genetics.
ScienceOctober 24, 2016
Image of in-vitro fertilization

Does it matter where your DNA comes from?

The Mexico three-parent baby has renewed scientific and ethical concerns about our meddling with DNA. Does it matter?
ScienceSeptember 29, 2016
Bildergalerie Verfassungsreferendum in Ägypten Mursi 2012

Fingerprint forensics still has a future

Fingerprints have been used as ID for millennia. But 125 years ago they helped radically change police work.
August 31, 2016
Die Forscherin Emmanuelle Charpentier

The discoverer of "enzyme scissors"

Emmanuelle Charpentier developed so-called "enzyme scissors" for altering DNA simply and precisely.
ScienceAugust 28, 201604:22 min

Scientists: designer babies 'just not possible'

At a major conference in Washington, researchers have discussed the technology of human gene editing.
February 16, 2016
DNA-Model Doppelhelix

'There is tremendous promise for gene editing technology'

Gene editing allows scientists to delete, repair or replace bits of cell DNA in a biological form of "cut and paste."
February 2, 2016
An embryo under a microscope.

Critics sound alarm over 'designer babies'

Britain gives go-ahead to modify genes of human embryos for research. Critics raise ethical questions over GM babies.
February 1, 2016
Human embryonic stem cell under a microscope

An idiot's guide to human gene editing

Human gene editing tools have long raised hopes of preventing incurable diseases. It's time we learned more about them.
SocietyDecember 3, 2015