Safe and purposeful genome editing under harmonized regulation for responsible use: views of research experts

CRISPR-Cas9 revolutionized the precise editing of mammalian cells genome. The present study explores genome editing (GE) in the context of the Responsible Research and Innovation framework for emerging technologies, through semi-structured interviews with life sciences researchers worldwide. Our study demonstrates that for researchers in the field, GE technology is viewed as promising but also harboring unsolved challenges. These experts call for complementary research to improve the technology and increase knowledge of the genome function. They clearly do not support what they perceive as unsafe, unpredictable and irrelevant applications, and they view the lack of international harmonization of regulation in combination with cultural differences in public attitude as difficult challenges. Interviewees see public misconceptions as a problem while recognizing the need to foster a clear science-society dialogue with informed citizens. This study with scientists provides insight into the science-based priorities for GE to be a technology that can be responsibly applied.