CRISPR-Cas9

Have you ever heard of genome editing? Genome editing is a method that allows scientists to edit or modify DNA in a variety of organisms. As technology advances, more and more devices are introduced to the medical field. The technology that gave scientists the ability to alter DNA sequences and modify gene functions is called the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, also known as CRISPR-Cas9. This powerful gene-editing tool has many potential applications, such as correcting genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread or inheritance of diseases, and improving the growth of crops.

CRISPR-Cas9 has been adapted in bacteria from a naturally derived genome modifying method. Bacterias seize DNA fragments from violating diseases and use them to establish pieces of DNA also known as CRISPR arrays. When the viruses attack again, the microorganisms create an RNA section from the CRISPR arrays to focus on the infections’ DNA. Then, it uses Cas9 or an identical catalyst to separate the DNA, which impairs the infections.

CRISPR can be precisely used in both reproductive and non-reproductive cells. As can be seen, CRISPR-Cas9 is a very delicate device that does not only edit genes, but also eliminate diseases from DNA. This is a method for physicians to root out cancer cells, or use non-sickle cells, which are a type of red blood cell, to substitute the genes that induce sickle cell anemia, a disorder in which there aren’t enough normal-shaped red blood cells in one’s body to carry oxygen. CRISPR can amend the body’s immune system cells for future use such as demolishing unregulated cells, which are cells that eventually result in cancer. It is also feasible to rectify genes in an infant when it has diseases. Furthermore, the altered genes in the infant can be passed onto future generations meaning it can also eradicate hereditary diseases which many individuals struggle with today, like cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. The aforementioned information displays how CRISPR can benefit human lives; however, the use of this tool is very limited due to many ethical concerns.

Clearly, this type of device sure has stirred up the ethical controversy on human germline alterations. CRISPR has also triggered debates on ethical issues such as how it may be used to produce designer babies, which refers to fetuses who are still developing from an embryo having its traits being selected or genes being modified. The fact that the altered genes will be inherited by all future generations can also have a negative impact since any edits will have a ripple effect and will be passed down to future generations. This may cause undesirable changes such as the risk of causing mutations and side effects to be transferred to later generations.

CRISPR-Cas9 has a great potential to benefit human life, but its far-reaching consequences are still unknown. Before it can be widely used in the medical field, much more research and experiments have to be done as it raises questions regarding the very essence of what it means to be human.

References

Vidyasagar, Aparna and Lanese, Nicoletta. “What is CRISPR?” Live Science. 21 October 2021. www.livescience.com/58790-crispr-explained.html.

Vyas, Kashyap. “Designer Babies: Gene-Editing and the Controversial Use of CRISPR.” Interesting Engineering. 4 July 2019. interestingengineering.com/designer-babies-gene-editing-and-the-controversial-use-of-crispr.

“What are genome editing and CRISPR-Cas9?” MedlinePlus. 18 September 2020. medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/genomicresearch/genomeediting/.