by Jack A. Heinemann, Tessa C. Hiscox, Caroline Bedin Zanatta, Brigitta Kurenbach, Sophie Walker, Andrew W. McCabe, Aline Martins Hoepers, Sarah Zanon Agapito-Tenfen
Published in: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 309, 1 January 2026, 119565
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119565
Abstract
Vectors for delivering proteins and/or nucleic acids into the cells of whole organisms, from single to multicellular, are rapidly advancing. Common cargos are nucleic acids needed to express the components of a genome editing reaction, or ribonucleoproteins (RNP) that can act immediately upon delivery. In only 20 years, improvements in associated formulation technologies have decreased the dependence of genome editing on the need for a laboratory or trained personnel, allowing for genome editing outside of controlled facilities. As this happens, both target and non-target organisms may be exposed to active biological agents, necessitating a new framework for risk assessment. Some scientists deny developments for gene editing in uncontrolled environments, leading to scientifically unjustified dismissals of risk.
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