Year in Review Genetics

The first U.S. trials in people put CRISPR to the test in 2019

These studies are a first step toward fulfilling the gene editor’s medical promise

Cas9 protein

CRISPR/Cas9 is a gene-editing tool that many hope will correct genetic diseases. In this illustration, the Cas9 protein (pink) that cuts DNA is led to DNA (purple) by a CRISPR guide RNA (yellow). The gene editor is now being tested in people.

CRISPR Therapeutics

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

When it was unveiled in 2012, people had great hopes that the gene editor CRISPR/Cas9 could treat or even cure hundreds to thousands of genetic diseases.