Safe and purposeful genome editing under harmonized regulation for responsible use: views of research experts

CRISPR-Cas9 revolutionized the precise editing of mammalian cells genome. The present study explores genome editing (GE) in the context of the Responsible Research and Innovation framework for emerging technologies, through semi-structured interviews with life sciences researchers worldwide. Our study demonstrates that for researchers in the field, GE technology is viewed as promising but also harboring unsolved challenges. These experts call for complementary research to improve the technology and increase knowledge of the genome function. They clearly do not support what they perceive as unsafe, unpredictable and irrelevant applications, and they view the lack of international harmonization of regulation in combination with cultural differences in public attitude as difficult challenges. Interviewees see public misconceptions as a problem while recognizing the need to foster a clear science-society dialogue with informed citizens. This study with scientists provides insight into the science-based priorities for GE to be a technology that can be responsibly applied.

成簇规律间隔短回文重复序列相关蛋白9（CRISPR-Cas9）革新了哺乳动物细胞基因组的精准编辑技术。本研究依托新兴技术的负责任研究与创新框架，通过对全球范围内生命科学研究者开展半结构化访谈，探讨了基因组编辑（Genome Editing，GE）相关议题。研究结果显示，该领域研究者普遍认为基因组编辑技术兼具发展前景与尚未攻克的挑战。专家们呼吁开展补充性研究以优化该技术、加深对基因组功能的认知。他们明确反对自认为不安全、不可预测且无关的应用场景，并认为监管缺乏国际协调统一，叠加公众态度的文化差异，是当前面临的棘手挑战。受访研究者将公众误解视为亟待解决的问题，同时认可需与知情公众构建清晰的科学与社会对话机制。本项针对科学家的调研，为基因组编辑技术实现负责任应用明确了基于科学的优先发展事项。