CRISPR tech enables latest disease, crop research

A Chinese scientist recently shocked the world by admitting he had used CRISPR genome-editing technology to alter the embryos of twin girls to prevent them from contracting HIV. The move, which was done outside of normal ethical parameters, created an immediate backlash around the world and shook up an industry that has never had an easy time explaining how and why it does what it does.

So what is CRISPR? It is a set of enzymes or molecular scissors that allow scientists to cut the genome at a precise point. Like molecular surgery. The genome-editing technology was…