With the recent discovery of the bacterial CRISPR/Cas9 system, research around genome engineering, modification, and gene-directed therapies have exploded into highly productive and often controversial scientific discoveries. These tools are relatively easy and inexpensive to use, increasing the rate and depth of study of genes, genomes, and organisms. But what is the CRISPR/Cas9 system? What is genome engineering and modification? What does it mean to be a genetically modified organism? How are we using genome engineering and modification to study and solve human disease, or diseases of other organisms? Are we ready for a world in which we can tailor the genome of any organism to fit our needs? Dr. Steele’s talk will focus on what these tools are, where they come from, how they work, how his lab uses these tools to study human neurodegenerative disease, and some of the many applications of genome engineering in modern science. He will host a conversation about the potential benefits and risks of a world in which genome modification is easier than it looks.