Join us at an exciting CeBIL/CORS seminar on 4 March 2019 featuring gene-editing pioneer Feng Zhang from the Broad Institute, as well as legal and regulatory experts.
Gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas 9 and Cas 13, enable scientists to add, remove, or alter genetic material at particular locations in the genome. In addition to their enormous potential for many useful applications in the plant sciences, gene-editing technologies are also of great interest in the prevention and treatment of human maladies. It holds e.g. great promise for the development of therapies against various diseases, such as single-gene disorders including sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and cystic fibrosis. Gene editing is also being explored for the treatment and prevention of more complex diseases, such as mental illness, HIV infections, cancer and cardio-vascular disorders.
Yet, recent developments have also demonstrated that severe concerns arise when genome editing is used to alter human genomes. Germline cell and embryo genome editing bring up a number of ethical and regulatory challenges, including whether it would be permissible to use this technology to enhance normal human traits.
This interdisciplinary seminar will debate the most recent advances in gene editing and the resulting legal and regulatory challenges. It features leading experts in the field, including Professor Feng Zhang from the Broad Institute, who is one of the world’s leading gene editing pioneers.