Very few technologies in the biology space have the ability to bring about disruptive transformation and capture the imagination of scientists, clinicians, policymakers and ordinary people equally. Gene editing is one such technology that has been in the news lately for its potential applications in the realms of basic biology, biomedical sciences and agriculture. This technology holds promise not only for treatment of human diseases through correction of gene defects in cells, but also has potential for improving agricultural yields, producing disease- and pest-resistant animals and crops, and for producing organisms that can synthesize specific products of commercial or medicinal importance.