New Gene-Editor Could Be Even Better Than CRISPR

CRISPR is currently the reigning king of gene-editing due to how precise it is in manipulating DNA. Now, an up and coming contender is coming to knock it off its perch. It promises better accuracy than CRISPR and reduces the chances of mistakes in the genetic programming. If this new method bears fruit, it will make genetic manipulation much safer.

The new method is detailed in a study co-authored by David R. Liu, a researcher from Harvard University Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. Liu recently had an email interview with Futurism, where he explains what this new method entails, which makes use of something called a “fourth-generation” DNA base editor, and its implications.

“Approximately two-thirds of known human genetic variants associated with disease are point mutations,” Liu said. “The fourth-generation base editors to my knowledge are the most effective forms of these molecular machines that can directly correct certain types of point mutations.”

Liu noted how the current methods of editing genes pose the risk of unintended mutations due to errors in coding. During the tests that they conducted, however, Liu and his team supposedly saw no unwanted coding in the results.

The paper was published in Science Advances, where the researchers explained what went into the study and how it will affect the future of gene-editing. CRISPR is already advancing several scientific fields with its ability to accurately manipulate DNA. An even more accurate tool would lead to even more advancements.

Of course, it’s only natural that this would result in even louder outcries from those worried about careless genetic manipulations. Then again, considering how this new method would actually reduce the chances of unwanted mutations from occurring in the first place, anyone who is even remotely familiar with how gene-editing works will actually be glad for this development.

Now, scientists will be prone to making fewer mistakes.