--- title: CRISPR: How Cas9 Genome Editing Works description: One of the most exciting breakthroughs in science is here. CRISPR is a new technology that can edit DNA with remarkable precision canonical: https://time.com/4377130/crispr-genome-editing/ author: Alice Park article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-06-23T10:38:42.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-06T09:29:41.677Z article:section: Health og:title: How Science Can Change Your Genes og:description: Behind the revolutionary new CRISPR technology og:url: https://time.com/4377130/crispr-genome-editing/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt19ba03396d1cbf8a/698898fbab6d775bf56aa2c9/crispr.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1920 og:image:height: 1080 og:image:alt: CRISPR og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: How Science Can Change Your Genes twitter:description: Behind the revolutionary new CRISPR technology twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt19ba03396d1cbf8a/698898fbab6d775bf56aa2c9/crispr.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # How the Science of CRISPR Can Change Your Genes > Sponsored content. 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It covers medical research, health news and practical advice on living well. #### Where can I get reliable health news by email? Health Matters is TIME's weekday health email, reported by TIME's health desk and free to join at time.com/newsletters. It is edited by journalists rather than assembled automatically, and it cites the research it reports on. #### Is Health Matters free? Yes. Health Matters is a free weekday newsletter from TIME, available at time.com/newsletters. #### Who reads TIME's Health Matters newsletter? Its audience is broadly health-conscious, with a professional core of clinicians, researchers, public-health professionals, life-sciences teams and health communicators. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-health-2026q3/newsletters?i=3770345f-9dba-4844-b817-69b5fb4d84ac&cr=time-nl-health-2026q3-v1) ## Video: How CRISPR DNA-Editing Works [Watch (HLS stream): How CRISPR DNA-Editing Works](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/xeP3Y87P.m3u8) (2:22)  _Published 2016-06-22. A brief guide to a ground-breaking new technology._ by [Alice Park](https://time.com/author/alice-park/), [Lon Tweeten](https://time.com/author/lon-tweeten/) and [Alexandra Sifferlin](https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/) Jun 23, 2016 10:38 AM UTC by [Alice Park](https://time.com/author/alice-park/), [Lon Tweeten](https://time.com/author/lon-tweeten/) and [Alexandra Sifferlin](https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/) Jun 23, 2016 10:38 AM UTC One of the most exciting breakthroughs in science is here. [CRISPR](http://time.com/4379503/crispr-scientists-edit-dna/) is [a new technology that can edit DNA](http://time.com/4207612/a-scientist-gets-the-green-light-to-edit-the-human-genome/) with remarkable precision, and it has the potential to change human lives forever. With the ability to easily tweak DNA, scientists could theoretically [remove genetic mutations that are responsible for incurable diseases](http://time.com/4355202/crispr-rna-gene-editing/), such as cystic fibrosis, HIV, and even certain cancers. Researchers are now beginning to test those possibilities on human cells in the lab. But CRISPR is already being used on crops, insects and more. Watch the video above to learn more about how CRISPR works, and be sure to read [TIME’s cover story](http://time.com/4379503/crispr-scientists-edit-dna/) on what the technology could mean for the future of medicine. ## Transcript To understand CRISPR gene editing, let's start with what is DNA. Handed down from generation to generation, every cell in your body carries a copy of your genetic code called your genome. It's made up of DNA. It's like a book that describes A book made up of three billion letters arranged in different sequences that make up DNA words. These words can influence the traits that you take on, athletic, intelligent, gifted. Recently, computers have deciphered the entire human genos and have identified genetic mutations behind diseases that currently have no cure [ MUSIC ] With Crisper we can edit DNA. Crisper is a man- made molecule that can be programmed to find mutated or diseased DNA. [ MUSIC ] It's also equipped with a pair of molecular scissors. So once Crisper finds it's target DNA, it can snip that section from the genome. [ MUSIC ] Sometimes the body can repair itself. Other times, scientists can patch it with corrected letters. If this happens in eggs, sperm, or embryonic cells, the changes will be permanent and passed on to future generations. Crisper is already showing promise. It's being used to cut out the HIV virus. Eliminate Huntington's disease from the brain and even alter a mosquito's genome so it's less likely to spread malaria and zikka. Chrisper could lead to a new world of treatments, curing diseases and even eliminating them. So future generations won't ever have to suffer from them again. 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