Need for careful assessment - Department of Biology, University of York

Most applications of gene editing techniques are undertaken in cell culture and the resulting engineered cells present negligible risks to human health or the environment
Where the intention is to use gene editing techniques to modify whole organisms (e.g. animals, including nematodes and insects, or plants), and eukaryotic microorganisms (e.g. yeast), the potency of this new technology means that users should make additional consideration of the potential environmental risks associated with synthesis and accidental release or escape of a genetic element that may rapidly spread in wild type populations. In such cases, there is a need for the safety aspects of each application to be considered on a case by case basis.

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