I'd argue that it's closer to five steps forward than one, on a ten step scale.
CRISPR is a gigantic leap forward in simplifying and expediting gene editing across the board. It has also significantly reduced the cost. The tools, such as SHERLOCK from Broad, that are already cropping up around CRISPR are well beyond what was previously possible.
China as one example has found it so easy and inexpensive to work with, they're likely to rapidly leap ahead of the West in gene editing due to their willingness to allow for higher rates of risk. They'll have perhaps dozens of human trials under way by the end of 2017 / mid 2018. Just on the back of CRISPR they're going to go from lagging far behind in biotech, to being a global leader within two decades. Technologically they're going to skip the decades of traditional pharma / biotech build-up, as with jumping to cellphones and bypassing landlines.
> due to their willingness to allow for higher rates of risk
You're making this sound more harmless than it is. I'd rather say "due to their willingness to reject and destroy all previously common-held ethical boundaries of science".
Oh, we'll tolerate it. We'll definitely complain, but nobody's actually going to put any skin in the game. There won't be any significant embargoes, much less military action.
Then, some years down the line, we'll make use of the benefits of whatever technology the Chinese develop. It would be evil not to, given how it could spare people the suffering of genetic diseases, or create carbon-capturing crops, or whatever.
CRISPR is a gigantic leap forward in simplifying and expediting gene editing across the board. It has also significantly reduced the cost. The tools, such as SHERLOCK from Broad, that are already cropping up around CRISPR are well beyond what was previously possible.
China as one example has found it so easy and inexpensive to work with, they're likely to rapidly leap ahead of the West in gene editing due to their willingness to allow for higher rates of risk. They'll have perhaps dozens of human trials under way by the end of 2017 / mid 2018. Just on the back of CRISPR they're going to go from lagging far behind in biotech, to being a global leader within two decades. Technologically they're going to skip the decades of traditional pharma / biotech build-up, as with jumping to cellphones and bypassing landlines.