CNN Interview with Jennifer Doudna: Editing DNA to Cure Disease

In each of these 1–3 min. segments, IGI Executive Director Jennifer Doudna speaks with Fareed Zakaria of CNN’s Global Public Square (GPS) about the use of CRISPR technology to develop cures for genetic diseases such as cancer and malaria, as well as the ethical issues involved in using such a technology for so-called “designer babies.”

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Editing DNA to cure cancer

Dr. Doudna explains recent advances in a new treatment called cancer immunotherapy, which involves reprogramming a patient’s own immune system to target their cancer.

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Could gene editing stop malaria?

Fareed asks Dr. Doudna about “gene drives” that could prevent the spread of disease by genetically altering mosquitoes.

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Are designer babies in our future?

They also discuss the potential of using CRISPR technology for the development of “designer babies” and the important ethical questions that arise when considering applications of this nature.

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