Main content

What could gene editing achieve?

Kevin Esvelt wants to create life and has a powerful new tool to do it. But he says people need to pay attention to what he and other scientists are doing because the effects could be profound. Earlier genetic breakthroughs were likened to "learning the language in which God created life." Gene editing gives MIT's Kevin Esvelt and others the power to actually write that language. Hear his extraordinary ambition and answer to our question, is gene editing out of control?

(Photo: Concept of a head with roots. Credit: Getty Images)

Release date:

Duration:

34 seconds