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Caution required for handling genome editing technology

2014; Elsevier BV; Volume: 32; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.03.005

0167-9430

Motoko Araki, Kumie Nojima, Tetsuya Ishii,

Innovation and Socioeconomic Development

Genome editing technology, although a robust tool for genetic engineering, is creating indistinct regulatory boundaries between naturally occurring and modified organisms.However, researchers must act with caution in research and development to avoid misleading society.Furthermore, appropriate regulations should be proactively discussed and established for handling genome editing technology.Current conditions Genome editing with engineered nucleases such as Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN), Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease (TALEN), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)/Cas demonstrate a precision genome engineering in higher organisms [1].Although genome editing has received significant attention due to its potential applications in plant and/or animal breeding, it has also raised regulatory issues.The artificial nucleases may generate novel organisms that are extremely similar or identical to naturally occurring organisms.Currently, some countries have attempted to establish regulations for handling ZFN and TALEN, but not yet CRISPR/Cas.In contrast, some researchers advocate that organisms modified using genome editing do not fall under the genetically modified organism (GMO) regulations.Yet, caution is needed because inappropriate use of genome editing may cause societal problems and loss of opportunities for agricultural and environmental applications.Here we briefly review regulatory responses, scrutinize societal implications, and propose a future direction for the biotechnology of genome editing.