gene editing

noun

variants or genome editing
: the use of biotechnological techniques to make changes to specific DNA sequences in the genome of a living organism
Fundamental research into the ways by which bacteria defend themselves against viruses has recently led to the development of powerful new techniques that make it possible to perform gene editing—that is, precisely altering genetic sequences—in living cells, including those of humans, at much higher accuracy and efficiency than ever before possible.David Baltimore et al.
The era of straightforward genome editing raises ethical questions that will need to be addressed by scientists and society at large.Jennifer A. Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier
often hyphenated when used before another noun
a gene-editing technique called CRISPR

Examples of gene editing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Though the technology is relatively new, Shapiro sees gene editing as akin to two of society’s oldest practices — animal domestication and agriculture. Mitchell Willetts, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 The authors concluded that gene editing could potentially contribute to a cure for oral and genital herpes, but more research is needed. Erica Sweeney, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025 January 23, 2025 4 min read Could gene editing produce a tasty citrus fruit that doesn’t interfere with prescription drugs? Charlotte Hu, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025 Still, the findings show the potential, at least in theory, to use gene editing to help solve currently existing environment dilemmas. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gene editing

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gene editing was in 1990

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Cite this Entry

“Gene editing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20editing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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