The powerful gene-editing technique known as CRISPR/Cas9 now extends to so-called germline cells—the important but extremely delicate plants, animals, and humans, whose genetic material carries a mix of genetic material from all their generations. The new technique targets the RNA-based expression of certain genes inside the germ cells. Research published today in the journal Molecular Cell reveals that this molecular "CRISPR-on-a-chip" assay might even work with the relatively old retroviruses that infect some people with cystic fibrosis.

To be clear, this is not a mechanism for trying to treat genetic diseases, but it's still an intriguing advance.