Science for Society: CRISPR and the Future of Genome Editing

Scientific breakthroughs often change not just the lab, but the world around us. One of the most exciting advances in recent years is CRISPR, a technology that allows scientists to precisely “edit” genes—the instructions in our DNA that determine how living things grow and function. CRISPR has the potential to treat genetic diseases, improve crops, and help scientists better understand how life works.

But with great power comes great responsibility. CRISPR also raises important questions: How should we use it safely? Who gets access to new therapies? And how do we make sure that powerful tools like gene editing benefit everyone, not just a few?

The second edition of Science for Society, hosted by DWIH San Francisco, will explore these questions and more. The event brings together experts in research and industry to discuss the promise and challenges of genome editing, making the conversation accessible to the broader public.

Speakers:

Thomas Wechsler is a Gene Therapy Consultant, who has spent years working across the gene therapy field—from small biotech startups to large pharmaceutical companies. He has led projects to develop cutting-edge therapies for rare and common diseases, including inherited disorders affecting metabolism, the eyes, and the nervous system. Thomas has guided treatments through every stage of development, from lab research to clinical trials, helping to bring new therapies closer to patients.

Isabel Esain Garcia is a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Jennifer Doudna at the University of California, Berkeley. She earned her PhD at the University of Cambridge, where she studied how specific DNA structures regulate gene expression, including those linked to cancer. Her work, recognized with the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute PhD Thesis Prize, uses CRISPR to explore ways to understand and potentially treat complex diseases.

Program

4:30 – 5:00 PM – Arrival and Welcome

5:00 – 5:45 PM – Moderated Panel Discussion

5:45 – 6:15 PM – Audience Q&A

6:15 PM – 7:30 PM – Networking Reception

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher DWIH San Francisco