Gene - editing tool , CRISPR , might " inadvertently " alter up to 150 times more genes in a genome than required , and scientists might not even be aware it is possible , thanks to inconsistent results , according to Dr J Keith Joung of Massachusetts genome Hospital . Those working with CRISPR said the " off - target " effects occurred less frequently when " high quality " RNA samples were used , but " random mutations and genetic variants " posed major obstacles to the science , he organized a workshop on gene editing at the American Society of Hematology .
Gene-editing tool, CRISPR, might "inadvertently" alter up to 150 times more sites in a genome than required, and scientists might not even be aware it is happening, thanks to inaccurate algorithms, according to Dr J Keith Joung of Massachusetts General Hospital. Those working with CRISPR said the "off-target" effects occurred less frequently when "high quality" RNA samples were used, but "random mutations and genetic variations" presented major obstacles to the science, he told a workshop on gene editing at the American Society of Hematology.