--- description: One of the most exciting breakthroughs in science is here. CRISPR is a new technology that can edit DNA with remarkable precision title: How Science Can Change Your Genes image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt19ba03396d1cbf8a/698898fbab6d775bf56aa2c9/crispr.png?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Health](/section/health/) ## Health Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Genetics](/tag/genetics/) ## Genetics Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # How the Science of CRISPR Can Change Your Genes by [Alice Park](/author/alice-park/), [Lon Tweeten](/author/lon-tweeten/) and [Alexandra Sifferlin](/author/alexandra-sifferlin/) Jun 23, 2016 10:38 AM CUT  Lon Tweeten—TIME by [Alice Park](/author/alice-park/), [Lon Tweeten](/author/lon-tweeten/) and [Alexandra Sifferlin](/author/alexandra-sifferlin/) Jun 23, 2016 10:38 AM CUT One of the most exciting breakthroughs in science is here. [CRISPR](http://time.com/4379503/crispr-scientists-edit-dna/ "undefined") is [a new technology that can edit DNA](http://time.com/4207612/a-scientist-gets-the-green-light-to-edit-the-human-genome/ "undefined") 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/ "undefined"), 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/ "undefined") on what the technology could mean for the future of medicine. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4377130/crispr-genome-editing/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4377130/crispr-genome-editing/"},"headline":"How the Science of CRISPR Can Change Your Genes","datePublished":"2016-06-23T10:38:42.000Z","dateModified":"2026-03-30T12:09:12.724Z","description":"Behind the revolutionary new gene-editing technology","url":"https://time.com/4377130/crispr-genome-editing/","keywords":["Genetics","crispr"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt19ba03396d1cbf8a/698898fbab6d775bf56aa2c9/crispr.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Alice Park","jobTitle":"Senior Correspondent","url":"https://time.com/author/alice-park/"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Lon Tweeten","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/lon-tweeten/"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Alexandra Sifferlin","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/"}],"articleSection":"Health","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt19ba03396d1cbf8a/698898fbab6d775bf56aa2c9/crispr.png?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"CRISPR","caption":"","creditText":"Lon Tweeten—TIME","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/health/","name":"Health"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/genetics/","name":"Genetics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4377130/crispr-genome-editing/","name":"How the Science of CRISPR Can Change Your Genes"}}]}] ```