New Precise Gene-Editing Technique Works in Monkeys

A new biochemical technique called CRISPR allows very precise editing of genes. In animals other than primates, the technique can inactivate or edit particular genes with great precision and efficiency — and without apparent adverse “off-target” effects.

A multi-institutional team from China used the technique to try to edit three target genes in monkeys. One gene is important in B cell and T cell development, another is important in fat cell production, and the third is important in stem cell development and sex determination. The researchers began with fertilized ova and used the technique to edit the target genes in one-cell embryos. They were able to edit the first two genes successfully. As a result, nearly every cell in the newborn ani…