We’re on the cusp of a gene editing revolution, are we ready?

THERE’S a certain breed of techno-optimist who likes to talk about “the singularity” – a time when technology progresses so rapidly that life is transformed beyond recognition. The driving force of this hypothetical event is artificial intelligence, but biotech plays a key role too.

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But there are dangers ahead – not least the science outpacing public consent. Two teams in China have already tried to engineer human embryos. That seems unnecessarily hasty given the ethical issues it raises.

Those who work on CRISPR have a duty to consider not just the science but also how it will be received. As yet, CRISPR has hardly registered in public debate.

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