FAS

Advanced Gene Editing, & More from CRS

05.01.17 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

A new report from the Congressional Research Service describes the gene editing technology known as CRISPR-Cas9 and its dramatic implications for genetic engineering. The report also introduces the ethical, regulatory and policy questions that this technology is raising. See Advanced Gene Editing: CRISPR-Cas9, April 28, 2017.

Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.

Law Enforcement Using and Disclosing Technology Vulnerabilities, April 26, 2017

Renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): What Actions Do Not Require Congressional Approval?, CRS Legal Sidebar, April 27, 2017

Softwood Lumber Dispute Lumbers On: Preliminary Countervailing Duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber Announced, CRS Legal Sidebar, April 28, 2017

Department of Defense Contractor and Troop Levels in Iraq and Afghanistan: 2007-2017, updated April 28, 2017

American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics, updated April 26, 2017

Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response, updated April 26, 2017

U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications, updated April 27, 2017

The Greek Debt Crisis: Overview and Implications for the United States, updated April 24, 2017

Iran’s Nuclear Program: Status, updated April 27, 2017

publications
See all publications
FAS
Blog
Gil on the Hill: Who Won the Shutdown?

We came out of the longest shutdown in history and we are all worse for it. Who won the shutdown fight? It doesn’t matter – Americans lost. And there is a chance we run it all back again in a few short months.

11.25.25 | 7 min read
read more
Environment
Issue Brief
Collaborative Action in Massachusetts to Counter Extreme Heat

Promising examples of progress are emerging from the Boston metropolitan area that show the power of partnership between researchers, government officials, practitioners, and community-based organizations.

11.24.25 | 17 min read
read more
Government Capacity
day one project
Policy Memo
Tax Filing as Easy as Mobile Banking: Creating Product-Driven Government

Americans trade stocks instantly, but spend 13 hours on tax forms. They send cash by text, but wait weeks for IRS responses. The nation’s revenue collector ranks dead last in citizen satisfaction. The problem isn’t just paperwork — it’s how the government builds.

11.20.25 | 15 min read
read more
Clean Energy
Report
Report: When Ambition Meets Reality — Lessons Learned in Federal Clean Energy Implementation, and a Path Forward

In a new report, we begin to address these fundamental implementation questions based on discussions with over 80 individuals – from senior political staff to individual project managers – involved in the execution of major clean energy programs through the Department of Energy (DOE).

11.19.25 | 6 min read
read more