Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

What is Genetic Engineering?00:49

What is Genetic Engineering?

79.5K
Overview
79.5K
CRISPR01:59

CRISPR

57.3K
Genome editing technologies allow scientists to modify an organism’s DNA via the addition, removal, or rearrangement of genetic material at specific genomic locations. These types of techniques could potentially be used to cure genetic disorders such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. One popular and widely used DNA-editing research tool that could lead to safe and effective cures for genetic disorders is the CRISPR-Cas9 system. CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced...
57.3K
Gene Therapy00:59

Gene Therapy

27.3K
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be...
27.3K
Genome Copying Errors02:46

Genome Copying Errors

5.0K
DNA replication is a well-evolved process that copies millions of base pairs with high fidelity during each cell division. Occasionally a wrong base or a long stretch of wrong bases may get added to the daughter strands. If the errors are left unchecked, cells might accumulate several mutations that might endanger their  survival. Therefore, the copying errors are checked and repaired at three levels.
5.0K
CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing01:28

CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing

1.5K
The CRISPR-Cas system serves as a bacterial defense mechanism against invading genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids, forming the foundation for its adaptation as a powerful genome-editing tool. Originally discovered in prokaryotes, this system has been repurposed to revolutionize genetic engineering across a wide range of organisms, including plants, animals, and humans. The core component, Cas9, is an endonuclease derived from Streptococcus pyogenes, capable of introducing...
1.5K
In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

15.9K
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
15.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Overcoming the challenges of genome-editing essential genes.

STAR protocols·2026
Same author

When the Platform Owns the Procedure: Intellectual Property Rights and Robotic Surgery.

European urology·2026
Same author

A titin truncating variant linked to atrial fibrillation increases atrial profibrotic signalling and cholinergic sensitivity.

Cardiovascular research·2026
Same author

Instability in Spinal Infection: Evaluating the Predictive Value of the Spinal Instability Spondylodiscitis Score (SISS).

Spine·2026
Same author

Loop extrusion by cohesin plays a role in enhancer-activated gene expression early in differentiation.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Optimum seeding rate for biomass sorghum in response to harvesting and planting dates in the Mid-Atlantic Regions.

Scientific reports·2026
Same journal

Characterizing endometriosis and adenomyosis symptom clusters and their impact on quality of life in the All of Us Research Program.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026
Same journal

A new regulatory framework: impact of the SoHO Regulation for medically assisted reproduction.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026
Same journal

Subfertility in relation to gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes: the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026
Same journal

Pathogenic variants in ACTRT3 lead to male infertility characterized by fertilization defects.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026
Same journal

A large retrospective study on 1PN embryo transfer supports the need for updated harmonized best practice guidelines.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026
Same journal

Explainability of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs): promise, clinical reality, and conceptual limits.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

CIRCLE-Seq for Interrogation of Off-Target Gene Editing
08:23

CIRCLE-Seq for Interrogation of Off-Target Gene Editing

Published on: November 1, 2024

1.3K

The technical risks of human gene editing.

Benjamin Davies1

  • 1Welcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK.

Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|November 8, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The controversial CRISPR/Cas gene editing of human embryos resulted in twin girls with engineered mutations. This report reviews the significant technical risks and ethical concerns, deeming the procedure reckless.

Keywords:
CRISPRCas9gene editingmutagenesisnuclease

More Related Videos

Introducing Point Mutations into Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Seamless Genome Editing
09:03

Introducing Point Mutations into Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Seamless Genome Editing

Published on: May 10, 2020

4.5K
CRISPR Epigenome Editing in Human Cells using Plasmid DNA Transfection and mRNA Nucleofection Delivery
07:49

CRISPR Epigenome Editing in Human Cells using Plasmid DNA Transfection and mRNA Nucleofection Delivery

Published on: May 30, 2025

2.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 4, 2026

CIRCLE-Seq for Interrogation of Off-Target Gene Editing
08:23

CIRCLE-Seq for Interrogation of Off-Target Gene Editing

Published on: November 1, 2024

1.3K
Introducing Point Mutations into Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Seamless Genome Editing
09:03

Introducing Point Mutations into Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Seamless Genome Editing

Published on: May 10, 2020

4.5K
CRISPR Epigenome Editing in Human Cells using Plasmid DNA Transfection and mRNA Nucleofection Delivery
07:49

CRISPR Epigenome Editing in Human Cells using Plasmid DNA Transfection and mRNA Nucleofection Delivery

Published on: May 30, 2025

2.2K

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Bioethics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • CRISPR/Cas gene editing has raised ethical concerns, particularly following Dr. He Jiankui's reported creation of genetically modified twins.
  • Technical risks, including unintended genomic mutations and mosaicism, are associated with CRISPR/Cas technology.
  • The prevalence and detection methods for these unintended genetic alterations remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the technical challenges and risks inherent in CRISPR/Cas genome editing.
  • To contextualize the available, albeit unpublished, data from Dr. Jiankui's study.
  • To evaluate the scientific and ethical justification for implanting manipulated human embryos.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on CRISPR/Cas associated risks.
  • Analysis of reported outcomes and methodologies from Dr. Jiankui's study (based on available information).
  • Assessment of ethical considerations in human germline gene editing.

Main Results:

  • Numerous studies report unintended mutations and mosaicism following CRISPR/Cas use.
  • Data from Dr. Jiankui's study, though unpublished, suggests flawed rationale and substantial technical risks.
  • Current detection strategies for unwanted genomic events may lack sufficient robustness and sensitivity.

Conclusions:

  • The procedures undertaken by Dr. Jiankui involved significant technical risks, compounded by serious ethical issues.
  • The decision to implant manipulated embryos, given the unknowns, was reckless.
  • Widespread international condemnation of the events is fully justified due to flawed scientific undertaking and ethical breaches.