Brains for Change

Image Source: Harvard’s David Liu on why publicly-funded research matters

Recently, I read an article in the Harvard Gazette titled “Rewriting Genetic Destiny,” which spotlights the work of Harvard scientist David Liu. Liu and his team have developed new “base editing” and “prime editing” tools that take gene editing a step beyond CRISPR. Instead of cutting DNA, these methods correct the exact “typos” in our genetic code that cause disease, essentially performing a biological “find and replace.”

The article shares the story of Alyssa Tapley, a teenager with a rare, aggressive leukemia who became the first patient treated with base editing. Two and a half years later, she’s healthy and back to living a normal life. Her case shows how these technologies could fundamentally change the way we approach genetic diseases with true correction.

What struck me most was Liu’s reminder that this discovery grew out of basic, curiosity-driven science rather than targeted medical development. Decades of foundational research, often without immediate clinical goals, made this possible. It’s a powerful argument for why we must continue funding scientific exploration even when its applications aren’t yet clear.

From a public policy standpoint, base editing, as often with advancements in science and technology, opens exciting possibilities and pressing responsibilities. As these therapies move closer to clinical use, policymakers should consider:

• Equitable access: Ensure that lifesaving genetic treatments don’t become available only to the wealthy by creating funding mechanisms or subsidies for patients with rare diseases.
• Safety and oversight: Mandate long-term patient registries and transparency in reporting outcomes to monitor potential side effects over time.
• Research investment: Protect and expand federal funding for basic science—the kind of open-ended research that made gene editing possible in the first place.
• Ethical boundaries: Develop clear national guidelines around germline editing, privacy, and consent before these technologies outpace regulation.

The ability to rewrite our genetic code may let us rewrite our medical destinies. However, the way we craft policy today will determine whether that future is accessible, ethical, and sustainable for everyone.

Read the article here: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/04/rewriting-genetic-destiny-gene-base-editing/