I don't think this significantly changes expectations. CRISPR and similar systems will still be immensely beneficial for simple traits (e.g. traits determined by a very small number of genes). Some diseases can be eliminated by changing a single gene.
CRISPR and similar systems could someday be helpful for dealing with complex traits, but we first need to understand exactly what genes contribute to them and how, and for many traits, that will take a very long time. In some sense, CRISPR is just a dumb cutting tool. Knowing where to cut was always the hard part, and it always will be.
CRISPR and similar systems could someday be helpful for dealing with complex traits, but we first need to understand exactly what genes contribute to them and how, and for many traits, that will take a very long time. In some sense, CRISPR is just a dumb cutting tool. Knowing where to cut was always the hard part, and it always will be.