Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna on FDA Approval of First CRISPR Treatments | Amanpour and Company

More than a decade ago, pioneering biochemist Jennifer Doudna co-invented CRISPR, the gene editing technology which earned her the Nobel Prize in chemistry. Now, the very first treatment based on CRISPR has been approved in the U.K. and the U.S., a landmark decision for the treatment of sickle cell disease and for the potential of this rapidly advancing field. Dr. Doudna joins her biographer, Walter Isaacson, to discuss what the technology could mean for the future — and the danger of its possible misuse.

Originally aired on January 4, 2024

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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.

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[DonBurke]

Walter did an excellent job asking relevant and thought-provoking questions, and Ms. Doudna was articulate and informative in her answers. As someone who another form of muscles dystrophy, i anxiously await further developments to make these solutions ubiquitous.

[justayoutuber]

Wow - what an amazing woman. The interviewer had great questions too.

[kathykillgore]

This is a wonderful interview. It should maybe, win an award and be viewed by students, for it is packed with info. on a variety of subjects in medicine and gives the average learner a lot of general knowledge!

[CreativeArtandEnergy]

It’s incredible and also too new to know the longterm effects for some time. I hope it saves lives and improves lives. ❤❤❤

[lindas.martin]

Fascinating, thanks all involved in the presentation and ongoing work in research, and especially to see that the research is used to be of service for those in need, and protects the public from misuse.

[tarynkilbert]

I have been following Doudna for years !! I am so excited about her biography and the implementation of her monumental work!

[cbgonzalez]

Excellent interview. I learned so much.
Thank you both for this interview. Bravo!

[kengudinho]

Even as a retired educator, I am in such reverential awe of super-intelligent people. Just Fascinating developments!

[caseyleedom]

Thank you for stating the obvious about "Gene-Modified Organisms": that all the food that we eat is already Gene-Modified via traditional Breeding Programs.

[ilkatrailrunner]

Fascinating and a wonderful resource for my biology students.

[cristinawilliams]

The action of Mechanically modifying genes is not the same as choosing a breed for its characteristics.

[Bizaaa]

Increíble y fascinante, que más vendrá en el futuro que Jehová Dios nos ayude a entender esta ciencia .😊

[nancychace]

Excellent discussion. Such a wonderful new tool with positive potential. However, she's right to be careful. Curing disease is a noble endeavor, but there are those who are of significant lack of character who would misuse CRISPR. How do we draw appropriate lines to regulate this wisely? Glad the Chinese are working well with her.
A vaccine for Alzheimers ...?

[garybowler]

I'm sure this is great, unfortunately the average US citizen will never be able to afford it. Most private health insurance companies fight us on standard procedures, sad really.

[andrewudstraw]

Regardless of the handwringing, this will be used to edit any part of the human genome and will be a major part of our evolution as a species.

It likely will be part of abolishing aging when telomere restoration becomes common.

This will be used for germline improvement. You can’t stop it, so get used to the idea.

[albin]

For optimum health, I recommend that everyone should take an FDA approved broad spectrum food additives supplement. They work best when taken with Mountain Dew.

[jujujg]

Warning: highly censored comments section.

[jasonrice]

Wasn’t this the beginning of “I am Legend?”

[門馬孝之]

I'm very interested with CRISPR - Cas9 system in plant. It is very great technique to be able to make a plant as you could consider. Now it is usual method to make great plants. Many researcher compete to make a new plant. I would like to see this compete condition. It is great...🐶🐕

[romanavolny]

Humans playing God is very dangerous and can lead to the extinction of humans/plants/animals.