CRISPR Research Summary

With modern technology comes the breakthrough of the decade by altering the human genes. This altering gene invention is called CRISPR/Cas9. However, this invention in the beginning stages of altering genes, began with rats until perfection. The process began early with the embryo stages to edit the genes. With the introduction of CRISPR surrounds a lot of controversy. Some people believe editing genes is playing with the hands of God and refuse to believe in CRISPR. With the article, “Let’s Hit Pause Before Altering Humankind”, by David Baltimore believes CRISPR is a tool with no good intentions. With this information the article should not be published with being against CRISPR.

The Gene Hackers published by the New Yorker’s Michael Specter talks about a breakthrough technology that could allow for the creation of genetically modified humans- “humans 2.0” as he calls it. This new technology could also be the cure for many genetic disorders like Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s etc. as it would allow scientist the ease of genetically identifying and editing specific genes responsible for these genetic abnormalities. This exciting new technology will be known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats associated protein 9 or CRISPR-Cas 9 for short.

Human gene editing has long been controversial topic; however, precise techniques that accomplish this feat have only recently been discovered. According to the Welcome Genome Campus in the UK, the most versatile and simplest technique, called CRISPR-Cas9, allows scientists to cut, alter, or add to sections of the DNA sequence of living organisms (“What Is CRISPR-Cas9?”). This astonishing technology has nearly endless applications, including the potential to eradicate genetic diseases in humans that currently have no cure. This could have vast implications for people who suffer with disease and the economy of the region in which they live, but the technology has yet to be commercialized. The

CRISPR may have received lots of ethical concerns but I still believe that this technology will be of great help to the society. Some of the diseases that people get are genetic in nature and with

And one of the top factors in determining the viability of genetic engineering is its accuracy. In an article reported by the Interdisciplinary Center for Studies on Bioethics at the University of Chile, it was found that CRISPR has “a high frequency of off target effects…in human cells” (Rodriguez). With a high threshold for error, CRISPR does not appear to be reliable yet, at least to researchers at the University of Chile. Ethically, this raises concerns about CRISPR being an option for usage in people due to its potential risks. Genetic engineering is far more complex than any other type of medical treatment out there, so if any type of error were to occur, it would be extremely difficult to fix. Sharon Begley, a journalist for STAT news who interviewed doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital, reported that “one concern about off-target effects is that genome-editing might disable a tumor-suppressor gene or activate a cancer-causing one” (Begley). This concern was later found to be true in a separate study performed on mice by a post-doctoral colleague of UC Berkeley’s Jennifer Doudna, where CRISPR “gave rise to mutations, creating a model for human lung cancer” (Bioethics). This study provides cold-hard evidence for the journalist’s claim that even the slightest mutation can lead to cancer.

Imagine a world where we can control genetics. What if we had the opportunity to eliminate all genetic diseases in just a few steps. Imagine a society where anyone could flip through a catalog to shop for traits to “design” their child. This may seem a little far fetched, however this imagined world may soon become possible through the rapid advancing development of genetic engineering. New and advanced technology has finally made it possible to access and hack the human genome. New gene editing technology called CRISPR Cas-9 has completely transformed the biomedical field. CRISPR Cas-9 is cheap, precise, efficient and ultimately works on all living organisms. Advanced genetic technology that have allowed us to genetically modify our food and clone sheep, may one day give parents the option to modify their own children. However the idea of one day creating “designer babies” sparks great controversy.

Biotechnology prompts a fear that humanity is gaining too much control over the choice of human evolution and destiny (McLean 1). CRISPR, “…the new fast, flexible, cheap way to manipulate the genetic code of life…” (Achenbach 1) exploits from the natural process used by ordinary bacteria to fend off against intrusive viruses while Cas (CRISPR-associated proteins), a set of enzymes, precisely snips DNA. CRISPR makes it simple to alter specific genes, resulting in many scientists beginning to use this new form of biotech for many of their experiments. Consequently, the editing of the

Sooner or later anyone can edit the gene of a living organism in their basement. Though this device can be used by scientist trying to eradicate malaria, it can also be used by bioterrorists who can use it as a dangerous pathogen that can kill millions of people. He wonders if there is going to be a time when those who can afford a better genome will live longer and healthier than those who can't. Or if instead CRISPR introduces traits to human germline with unforeseen consequences such as higher rates of cardiac

The human species have the extraordinary characteristic that has given us the ability to flourish all over the world. Humans are adaptive; refashioning our surroundings and passing this information down to the next generation to be built upon, has lead to a thriving species. Now, instead of modifying solely our outside environment, it is possible to also engineer our own genetic makeup. This genetic engineering is known as CRISPR. The system was originally discovered in bacteria as a protection mechanism against unknown pathogens; however, after being repurposed into a more generally practical technology, the genetic nature of essentially any species can be revised. This modernizing genomic engineering system has equipped scientists with the ability to precisely modify the DNA of almost any organism, including humans. CRISPR finds the specific strand of DNA that is unfavorable and replaces it

A gene editing method called CRISPR, Science’s 2015 Breakthrough of the Year, is an easy and inexpensive way to cause the “DNA-cutting enzyme” to cut out specific parts of the DNA strand, therefore changing the genetic composition of an organism. Another way to use the CRISPR is to use it to deliver regulatory factors to successfully turn genes on or off and any level in between, which can help save lives by turning off deadly genes. CRISPR is currently being used for biomedical purposes, such as repairing genetic defects or creating tissue-based treatments. This genetic editing method could be used and is being used to change the very animals and plants that we know today by creating allergen-free peanuts or virus resisting pigs.

If you have seen the film Gattaca (1997) the idea of being able to manipulate the DNA of a human in order to make perfect beings is polarizing to say the least. Some would argue this could prevent humans from being born with many birth defects including down syndrome, or heart defects. On the other side, others argue it is wrong for humanity to play god and no one knows just where the line will be drawn. This debate may have to be settled sooner than later though since CRISPR technology may make the manipulation of DNA a reality. If CRISPR technology is fully realized we as humans will have full control of our DNA structure, allowing us to essentially play god. The Nation has done a story on CRISPR, but that was almost a year ago and much has happened since then. Many pharmaceutical companies

In 2012, CRISPR was realized to be a tool for easier and cheaper genetic alterations. In 2015, Chinese scientists created a altered human embryo, and later they

The article ,“Scientists Urge Temporary Moratorium On Human Genome Edits” talks about how new technology called clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR), could allow scientists to alter a humans genetic code. While this could be a great finding it could also be detrimental. Scientists have been able to change DNA for a while however, CRISPR has sped up the process and made it cheaper. CRISPR is not the only technique, but is the most talked

The main ideas of this article are; how scientists are now using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR’s) to use them in cloning and how scientists are changing human DNA into an ethical problem. Another main idea is how researchers are using human “junk” DNA in their research. In this article, the author talks about a moratorium on gene editing, why do we need a moratorium anyway? Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats have been used just recently, but they have helped researchers and scientists with editing human genes and animal genes as well. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats are cheap and are easy to use. I hope some laboratories in the United States will use CRISPR’s to help human beings with really bad genetic defects.

After years of work, Dr. Smith, has successfully edited the human genome. Shortly after, he began to marvel at the possibilities he unlocked, but also begged the question of the possible consequences he created from this achievement which would affect the impending future. He worried as to how the public would react to his life work. The growing potential of gene editing is sweeping the US, filled with both overwhelming hope as well as fear. This is a bridge which must be crossed to achieve trust within the biomedical community. To ensure the people this can bring great change without the unethical byproducts which could come with gene editing. Much of the American public is divided with the relatively new science of genetic engineering due to concerning ethical issues, but would benefit in many ways from its implementation into society.