[Genetic therapy by CRISPR-Cas: paving the way to clinical practice]

CRISPR-Cas technology is a revolutionary technology to modify DNA sequences. Owing to its effectiveness and accuracy, CRISPR-Cas holds important promises for 'genetic therapy' for various hereditary disorders. CRISPR-Cas enables researchers to modify specific parts of the genome with unprecedented precision, which, in specific cases, can be applied to correct disease-causing DNA variants. However, several important barriers are complicating the clinical implementation trajectory. There are for example concerns regarding the safety, effectiveness and ethical justification. Nevertheless, as CRISPR-Cas becomes more widely known, doctors and healthcare providers are expected to be well aware of the developments surrounding CRISPR-Cas therapy. Professional expertise and clear communication about the possibilities and limitations to patients with genetic disorders are essential, partly to avoid making promises that are unrealistic in the short term. Altogether, geneticists, medical centers and regulators are now facing the challenges to start translating CRISPR-Cas technology into clinical practice, in an effective and ethical manner.