Medicine Grand Rounds, Eric Juengst and Greg Copenhaver, “The Biology and Ethics of CRISPR”

CRISPR technology is a simple yet powerful tool for editing genomes. It allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. Its many potential applications include correcting genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases and improving crops. However, its promise also raises ethical concerns. Drs. Juengst and Copenhaver will explore the biological basis of CRISPR technology and its potential biomedical applications.

Eric Juengst is Professor in the Department of Social Medicine and the Department of Genetics. He also serves as Director of the UNC Center for Bioethics. Dr. Juengst’s research interests and publications have focused on the conceptual and ethical issues raised by new advances in human genetics and biotechnology. Since 1997 he has been the principal investigator of a series of N.I.H. funded research projects examining the ethical and social policy issues that will be raised by the availability of genetic and genomic technologies. His current R01 project examines ethical and social implications of “Personalized Genomic Medicine”as a paradigm for health care.

Greg Copenhaver is a professor in the UNC Biology Department. He serves as the Director of Graduate Studies (Biology – MCDB) at UNC and as Editor-in-Chief for the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLoS Genetics. In addition, he co-founded the biotechnology company Chromatin Inc. He has also authored or co-authored numerous research papers including publications in Science, Nature, PLoS Genetics, eLife, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Nature Genetics.