The history, use, and challenges of therapeutic somatic cell and germline gene editing

Fertil Steril. 2023 Sep;120(3 Pt 1):528-538. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.02.040. Epub 2023 Mar 5.

Abstract

The advent of directed gene-editing technologies now over 10 years ago ushered in a new era of precision medicine wherein specific disease-causing mutations can be corrected. In parallel with developing new gene-editing platforms, optimizing their efficiency and delivery has been remarkable. With their development, there has been interest in using gene-editing systems for correcting disease mutations in differentiated somatic cells ex vivo or in vivo or for germline gene editing in gametes or 1-cell embryos to potentially limit genetic diseases in the offspring and in future generations. This review details the development and history of the current gene-editing systems and the advantages and challenges in their use for somatic cell and germline gene editing.

Keywords: CRISPR; gene editing; precision medicine.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Gene Editing*
  • Germ Cells
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Precision Medicine