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CRISPR

CRISPR

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...

CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing

CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing

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...

What is Genetic Engineering?

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Establishment of Genome-edited Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines: From Targeting to Isolation

Establishment of Genome-edited Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines: From Targeting to Isolation

Published on: February 2, 2016

Reproductive genome editing interventions are therapeutic, sometimes.

César Palacios-González¹

¹University of Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics - Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

|February 7, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Some human reproductive genome editing interventions are therapeutic, not just creating healthy individuals. This challenges the view that all such interventions are non-therapeutic, calling for a nuanced discussion.

Keywords:

CRISPR assisted reproduction gene editing genome editing germline editing therapy

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Last Updated: Nov 18, 2025

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Area of Science:

Bioethics
Genetics
Reproductive Medicine

Background:

Human reproductive genome editing is a rapidly advancing field.
Current debates often categorize interventions as either therapeutic or non-therapeutic.
A clear definition of 'therapeutic' is crucial for ethical and regulatory discussions.

Purpose of the Study:

To argue that certain human reproductive genome editing interventions possess therapeutic qualities.
To challenge the assertion that all such interventions solely aim to create healthy individuals.
To advocate for a more nuanced understanding of reproductive genome editing.

Main Methods:

Analysis of existing definitions of 'therapy'.
Evaluation of specific reproductive genome editing interventions against these definitions.
Addressing counterarguments regarding the conditions for therapy.

Main Results:

Certain human reproductive genome editing interventions meet the established conditions for being therapeutic.
The claim that all reproductive genome editing interventions merely create healthy individuals is shown to be false.
Specific objections to the therapeutic nature of these interventions are refuted.

Conclusions:

Reproductive genome editing interventions can be therapeutic in nature.
A more sophisticated ethical and scientific discourse on this topic is necessary.
Distinguishing between different types of interventions is vital for future policy.