Gene Editing Risks in GMO and DNA Damage from Environmental Aromatic Pollutants

As biotechnology advances and environmental contamination increases, concerns surrounding genome integrity have become more critical. This study explores the sources of genetic disruption: unintended mutations from gene-editing technologies in genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and oxidative DNA damage caused by environmental aromatic compounds such as biphenyls and benzo[a]pyrene derivatives. Modern gene-editing tools—CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, and zinc-finger nucleases—enable precise genomic modifications. However, off-target effects, epigenetic changes, and potential horizontal gene transfer raise concerns about long-term genomic stability and ecological implications. Despite rigorous biosafety assessments, the persistence of unintended mutations in GMOs necessitates ongoing molecular monitoring to mitigate risks.

This paper studies how the environmental pollutants such as benzo[a]pyrene and its active metabolite BPDE pose significant genotoxic threats. BPDE intercalates with DNA, forming bulky adducts such as BPdG that hinder replication and repair, leading to oxidative stress, strand breaks, and mutagenesis. For the stereochemical study, we extended to compounds like 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), commonly used in industrial applications, also form DNA adducts that disrupt genomic fidelity and are implicated in multiple carcinomas, particularly in tissues with high metabolic activation. This research focuses on the convergence of biotechnology and environmental science in understanding genome vulnerability, recognizing that monitoring genetic stability requires integrated approaches that assess both biotechnological interventions and environmental exposures.