CRISPR: What Is It and Why Should I Care?

May 14, 2020 | Duane Morris and LES Chicago | Webinar

Webinar Replay

About the Program

CRISPR is a powerful genome-editing technology that has grabbed the public’s attention. The CRISPR technology has applications that have made news in the popular press because it can be used in the rapid development of crops that are resistant to disease or better able to grow in various climates. CRISPR has also been used in the development of livestock having greater muscle mass—for instance, the breeding of pigs that can deliver more meat.

CRISPR has been making headline news for providing experimental treatments on the genetic level for very serious human genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia and the removal of a receptor used by HIV to potentially provide immunity against the virus. But, with great power comes great responsibility. Other headlines involving CRISPR raise great social concerns, with reports of “designer babies” becoming possible using the technology.

This webinar will provide an introduction to the CRISPR technology, discuss some of the social issues surrounding CRISPR and review legal and scientific battles with an overview of the changing intellectual property landscape.

Presenters

Thomas J. Kowalski, Partner, Duane Morris LLP

Mark D. Hankins, Chair, LES Chicago Chapter; and Assistant Director for Technology Transfer, Northern Illinois University

About Duane Morris

Duane Morris LLP, a law firm with more than 800 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally, is asked by a broad array of clients to provide innovative solutions to today’s legal and business challenges.

About LES

For more than 50 years, LES has been the leading association for intellectual property, technology and business development professionals to achieve professional and personal success. The Chicago Chapter is one of more than 35 LES chapters in the United States and Canada.