rate of mutation. As a consequence, the rate and accuracy of DNA repair mechanisms have an influence over the process of evolutionary change. DNA damage protection and repair does not influence the rate of adaptation by gene regulation and by recombination and selection of alleles. On the other hand, DNA damage repair and protection does influence the rate of accumulation of irreparable, advantageous, code expanding, inheritable mutations, and slows down the evolutionary mechanism for expansion of the genome of organisms with new functionalities. The tension between evolvability and mutation repair and protection needs further investigation. Technology A technology named clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (shortened to CRISPR-Cas9) was discovered in 2012. The new technology allows anyone with molecular biology training to alter the genes of any species with precision, by inducing DNA damage at a specific point and then altering DNA repair mechanisms to insert new genes. It is cheaper, more efficient, and more precise than other technologies. With the help of CRISPR–Cas9, parts of a genome can be edited by scientists by removing, adding, or altering parts in a DNA sequence. See also Accelerated aging disease Aging DNA Cell cycle DNA damage (naturally occurring) DNA damage theory of aging DNA replication Direct DNA damage Gene therapy Human mitochondrial genetics Indirect DNA damage Life extension Progeria REPAIRtoire Senescence SiDNA The scientific journal DNA Repair under Mutation Research References External links Roswell Park Cancer Institute DNA Repair Lectures A comprehensive list of Human DNA Repair Genes 3D structures of some DNA repair enzymes Human DNA repair diseases DNA repair special interest group DNA Repair DNA Damage and DNA Repair Segmental Progeria DNA-damage repair; the good, the bad, and the ugly Cellular processes Molecular genetics Mutation Senescence Articles containing video clips