New Gene-Editing Tool Labeled ‘Game Changer’ But Ethics Questions Linger
CRISPR, a gene-editing tool that makes it faster, easier and cheaper to delete, replace or repair genes, is just one of the technological devices to be discussed this week at The Future of Genomic Medicine symposium. In other news, 23andMe's kit to help people discover their genetic ancestry will soon hit Walgreen's shelves.
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Can Geneticists Engineer Healthier Humans?
It’s being called a “game changer,” the biggest advance in genomics in years. A tool that could help develop better ways to treat everything from cancer to obesity. But does the powerful new gene editing tool CRISPR represent hope or hype? Have scientists merely come up with a flashy new piece of technology? (Robbins, 2/26)
The San Francisco Business Times:
23andMe 'Spit Kits' May Head To The Shelves Of This Huge Retail Chain
Genetic information company 23andMe Inc.'s "spit kits" will be available at Walgreens stores, a company leader said Friday. But the company officially said no deal is imminent. The deal, if it actually is finalized, would demonstrate how far Mountain View-based 23andMe has come since the Food and Drug Administration two years ago spanked it for not getting the agency's approval before marketing its kit to consumers as a way to uncover disease-signaling gene mutations. (Leuty, 2/26)