Gene editing, also known as genome editing or genome engineering, is a type of genetic engineering that allows scientists to make specific changes to the DNA of living organisms. This process involves inserting, deleting, modifying, or replacing DNA in the genome of an organism. Unlike early genetic engineering techniques that randomly insert genetic material into a host genome, genome editing targets the insertions to site-specific locations. Scientists use different technologies to perform gene editing, including engineered nucleases, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and engineered meganucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated proteins (Cas) . These technologies act like scissors, cutting the DNA at a specific spot, and then scientists can remove, add, or replace the DNA where it was cut.

Gene editing has many potential applications, including investigating different diseases that affect humans, developing gene therapies to prevent and treat diseases in humans, and conserving biodiversity in plants. Scientists are still working to determine whether gene editing is safe and effective for use in people. Ethical concerns arise when gene editing is used to alter human genomes, particularly when changes are made to genes in egg or sperm cells or to the genes of an embryo that could be passed to future generations.

In summary, gene editing is a type of genetic engineering that allows scientists to make specific changes to the DNA of living organisms. It has many potential applications, including investigating diseases, developing gene therapies, and conserving biodiversity. However, ethical concerns arise when gene editing is used to alter human genomes.