What is Genome Engineering?
Genome engineering refers to all the different methods used to induce a change in the genetic program of a living cell and/or a living organism. Genome engineering is to biologists what software programming is to computer scientists. All living organisms have a genetic program encoded in their DNA. When a mistake slips into this program, it results in a malfunction for the living organism, just like a ” bug ” in computer software. Changing the DNA in order to correct an error or modify the information it encodes is genome engineering. Genome engineering uses a biological approach to treat the genetic causes of cellular malfunction. Its mode of action is rapid and brief, like surgery on DNA, and its effects are long lasting.
