Amander Clark

Editing the Genome: Promise and Peril

Jonathan Thomas, David Agus, David Baltimore, Amander Clark, Hank Greely, John Thomas

A panel of biomedical experts characterizes the current period as a golden era in biological research, driven by the Supreme Court's decision to ban human gene patents and the rapid deployment of CRISPR-Cas9 technology. While somatic cell editing is already treating conditions like sickle cell disease, the discussion highlights that germline editing remains legally blocked in the U.S. and poses significant technical risks, including off-target mutations. The experts advocate for a global, scientist-led regulatory framework similar to the 1975 Asilomar Conference to address ethical concerns regarding genetic enhancement and security threats from non-human applications.