gene editing

noun

variants or genome editing
: the use of biotechnological techniques to make changes to specific DNA sequences in the genome of a living organism
What's more, gene editing is extremely precise. … Just as a skillful editor can delete or add a word to improve a sentence without interfering with the structure of a document, gene editing makes it possible to change or disable a single gene without changing the "meaning" of the rest of the genome.Kat McGowan
The era of straightforward genome editing raises ethical questions that will need to be addressed by scientists and society at large.Jennifer A. Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier
often hyphenated when used before another noun
a gene-editing technique called CRISPR

Examples of gene editing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But other cardiologists with no commercial stake in the technology are also captivated by the concept of using gene editing to deliver a one-time therapy to prevent people from accruing damaging levels of blood lipids. David Cox, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026 The researchers received the feedback in a meeting with FDA reviewers to discuss a potential study of custom treatments using prime editors, a more complex and cumbersome gene editing technology that can treat a much wider range of genetic misspellings. Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026 Pivot uses gene editing to keep the enzymes turned on and working at maximum volume. Charlotte Hu, Time, 25 Mar. 2026 The first person to receive a personalized gene editing therapy, KJ is thriving and reaching developmental milestones. Milly Dawson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gene editing

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gene editing was in 1990

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Cite this Entry

“Gene editing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20editing. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

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