The complexity of the gene and the precision of CRISPR

The rapid development of CRISPR-based gene editing has been accompanied by a polarized governance debate about the status CRISPR-edited crops as genetically modified organisms. This article argues that polarization around partly reflects failure public engagement with current state research in genomics and postgenomics. gene-editing technology become embedded narrow narrative ease precision technique presents stable object under technological control. By tracing considerably destabilized scientific understanding postgenomics, this highlights publicly mediated ontology strategically avoids positioning “ease editing” wider context “complexity gene.” While strategic narrowness CRISPR narratives aims to create support for technologies, we argue it stands way socially desirable anticipatory open dialogue societal promises unintended consequences editing. In addressing surrounding technology, emphasizes need complex postgenomic science simplifications literature promoting or opposing commercial use technology.