‘Incredible’ Editing of Life’s Building Blocks

October 27, 2017

(BBC) – Scientists have demonstrated an “incredibly powerful” ability to manipulate the building blocks of life in two separate studies. One altered the order of atoms in DNA to rewrite the human genetic code and the instructions for life. The other edited RNA, which is a chemical cousin of DNA and unlocks the information in the genetic code. The studies – which could eventually treat diseases – have been described as clever, important and exciting.