researchers from the genome Institute have re - purposed the revolutionary DNA - editing technology CRISPR - editing to target RNA , the single - stranded product of DNA which is responsible for constructing the proteins necessary for life . RNA - editing is seen to be less ethically challenging than genome - editing , as the latter is irreversible . Lead biologist Feng Zhang believes that his genome - editing technique is some way off working in humans yet , but is optimistic that it may be a more effective method than traditional gene - editing for the treatment of some diseases .
Scientists from the Broad Institute have re-purposed the revolutionary DNA-editing technology CRISPR-Cas9 to target RNA, the single-stranded product of DNA which is responsible for constructing the proteins necessary for life. RNA-editing is seen to be less ethically challenging than DNA-editing, as the latter is irreversible. Lead investigator Feng Zhang cautions that his RNA-editing technique is some way off working in humans yet, but is optimistic that it may be a more effective method than traditional gene-editing for the treatment of some diseases.