Calls for Caution in Genome Engineering Should Be aModel for Similar Dialogue on Pandemic Pathogen Research

Recently, 18 leading researchers in science andbiotechnology published an unprecedented state-ment in Science calling for great caution in the applica-tion of new CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly inter-spaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9) technologies to editing of the human germ-line (1). These technologies allow molecular biologists to modify genomes in ways that were previously diffi-cult or impossible, creating the potential to treat dis-ease by correcting genetic defects. However, these methods also allow genome modification in the germ-line that would be passed on to the organism's progeny. The statement called for the development of a thorough understanding of ethics and safety around CRISPR/Cas9 germline editing and advised against cer