Significant yet incredibly delicate plant, animal, and human cells with a genetic makeup that combines DNA from all of their generations are known as germline cells. These cells can now be treated with the powerful CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique. The unique approach focuses on certain genes' RNA-based expression in germ cells. This molecular "CRISPR-on-a-chip" assay may even be helpful against the relatively old retroviruses that cause cystic fibrosis in some people, according to recent study published in the journal Molecular Cell.

This is a fantastic development, albeit it should be made clear that it is not a way to try to treat inherited disorders.