Summary: Editing The Human Genome

The article “Three-parent babies: the argument for and against” written by Sarah Knapton states due the fact that the new technique called mitochondrial transfer can modify slightly the genome of next births, many opinions a favor and against of this method have been raised by ethical concerns. One of the argument a favor to the mitochondrial transfer is that it can benefit more than 2,500 mothers and 150 births a year. How the mitochondrial inheritance is through the mother, the transfer of mitochondria prevents of passing abnormal genes to the next generation in order to avoid mortal diseases, and the mitochondrial DNA is not more than 0.054 percentage without the nucleus of the cell. On the other hands, counter-arguments allege that children

John Harris an author writing about gene editing expresses that the procedure can provide more benefit than harm. John illustrates in the article, “yes, their are issues with the process,but the amount of breakthrough that can be achieved s able to have the issues be overlooked”(Harris). Even though there are issues with the experimentation the scientific advancement this can provide will help change the future. When the gene editing is finally complete and mastered by the bio-technicians, it can help save lives. Even with the risks presented the scientific community is leaning in favor for the process, because of the long term benefits it can

With new technology scientists have come up with a way to insert mitochondrial DNA of a healthy egg to one that is genetically damaged or impaired. “Scientists have also recently reported a method of extracting defective mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of cells, from a woman 's egg and replacing them with healthy mitochondria from a donor egg” (Ghose 2014). In 2015 there was the first reports of mitochondrial DNA transplant, “Three-parent babies” is a sensationalized term to describe a special form of in vitro fertilization, or I.V.F., that is better labeled mitochondrial transfer” (Malik 2015). This process is similar to in vitro fertilization where the child is created in the test tube, but is then fertilized egg injected with the healthy mitochondrial DNA (Malik 2015). The mitochondrial DNA is injected into the nucleus where the hope is that the healthy mitochondrial DNA will take over the unhealthy mitochondrial DNA (Malik 2015). This advancement in this process and medical technology is a large step for the medical field. Is this step for better or worse for the human population.

In the recent years there has been a new technology created, called CRISPR-Cas, that allows for gene-editing in germline cells to potentially treat or prevent genetic diseases and conditions. There has already been uses of this technology in clinical trials to edit immune cells that treat cancer. While this sounds like something that would be a fantastic idea it is very controversial and raises concerns of whether it is ethical or not. As of right now, we should be able to edit our cells, but only somatic cell and not our germ line cells.

   When we contemplate manipulation of the human genome, we tend to frame the debate in terms of the potential consequences for our children, or our children's children. These are the individuals whose lives, and whose genes, are most likely to be effected by the rapidly advancing field of human genetics. Thus, while generations have always been conscious about the external environment bequeathed to their children, we of this generation may have to consider the additional question of what will we leave inside our children. As parents, do we have the responsibility or the right to screen against or select for certain genetically determined traits in our children? Here, I argue that

The lecture started off with Dr. Kitchens-Kintz discussing the importance of genes and what their functions are in the human body. For example, the fact that they are what contains the blueprints for proteins in our bodies. These proteins are then used for multiple important functions such as making up enzymes, hormones, and other materials such as collagen, which is an essential building block in hair, skin, nails, and bones. However, sometimes parts of genes get distorted throughout our life either from exposure to things such as sunlight or due to copying errors. These errors can can do one of three things: absolutely nothing, benefit, or hinder the individual. Furthermore, with the advancements in technology,

This mitochondrial DNA is passed down from mother to adolescent. In rare cases, females have mitochondrial defects can pass it down to their offspring, causing devastating difficulties or in the most extreme cases death. Mitochondrial transference can supersede such imperfect mitochondrial DNA with that from a donor, allowing affected mothers to eschew passing these defects on to their children, who then carry genetic material from three parents who are the father and two mothers, including the

The subject of germ-line genetic engineering is a controversial topic. The idea of allowing alternating genes to be passed down to the next generation without fully understanding the risk is disturbing. Despite the opposition, in 2015 England legalized mitochondria transfer, a form of germ-line modification, as treatment for infertility[6]. Mitochondrial transfer is the replacement of the mother cytoplasm with the donor cytoplasm, which contains the mitochondrial genes. The baby has the genetic information of parent plus the donor, “the three parent baby”[7]. Mitochondrial disease involved the malfunction of the mitochondria, which prevent cell to get energy from fat or other energy sources. There is about 1 in 7000 children has mitochondrial

Fertility doctors have discovered a new procedure for women who have mitochondrial diseases and want to have healthy children. The procedure is called a mitochondrial transfer, using the DNA of both parents and a mitochondria from a donor. This process is not used often and it is not very well known in the United States. A procedure similar to this one was used in the 1990s and was unsuccessful, this new idea leaves people questioning if this one will be better than the last. The procedure of having a baby with the DNA of three people should not be used because this case is one of the first successful attempts and this process is only legal in two countries.

Gene Editing is a method that can be used to change or edit the genetic code. Researchers and doctors can add or delete a sequence in the genetic code. Adding or deleting a sequence in the genetic code is just like copying and pasting in a word document. Gene editing is being used to cure disease and/or disorders, and has been around for years but has never been very accurate or precise. Now, with the breakthrough technology of the year, the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing could be easier than ever.The CRISPR-Cas9 has the potential to cure diseases that many have died from. The CRISPR-Cas9 is like a little pair of scissors that will cut out, repair , or even replace DNA. The changes that are made with this machine will be passed on from generation to generation. Like said before, gene editing is not new to the world, but the CRISPR-Cas9 is the first technology being used to undergo gene editing. Before the CRISPR-Cas9 there was the TALENs. Out of all the technology for gene editing CRISPR-Cas9 has been the most precise of them all. As soon as it is perfected it will be the next

In the article “World’s First Baby Born from New Procedure Using DNA of Three People” by Ian Sample, they show that in counties with proper regulations a new procedure of mitochondrial transfer could give some hope to couples unable to have healthy children. This article shows the process of which scientists went through to eventually have a process that lets women with unhealthy eggs able to have children. The author also explains a different process that was used once in the 1990s’, where they injected cytoplasm from healthy donor eggs into unhealthy donor eggs, but this process causes children to be born with genetic disorders and later the procedure was banned. This article also shows how dangerous it can be to perform the treatment

Recent studies suggest that genome editing of germ line cells is an effective strategy for mutated gene correction in sperms and oocytes for the inhibition of onset of inherited disorder. The first time, germ line genome editing in human by CRISPR/Cas9 system , was carried out to correct mutation of HBB (Beta globin) gene in zygote of β-thalassemia patients by homologous DNA recombination (HDR) [80, 81]. Embryonic genome editing utilized in the treatment of such monogenic diseases prior to birth is a rational use of embryonic genome editing in germ line cells. Homologous DNA recombination by traditional gene editing techniques in mammalian eggs has a low rate (<10%) in term of

Species with genomes which can be experimentally manipulated makes it possible for researchers to investigate the role played by genes in pathology. In organisms such as yeast and mice, the ability to add or delete specific genetic information leads to an unmatched level of precision in studies of gene function, and due to that more is known about their biological mechanisms than in any other within their respective taxonomic group (Urnov et al., 2010). A technique known as genome editing was originally used on Drosophila melanogaster promises to expand this capability to cells and entire organisms virtually any species. Genome editing enables well-organized and accurate genetic modification through the induction of double-strand breaks in a specific genomic sequence of choice; this is followed by the generation of desired changes during subsequent repair of the broken DNA. One way of doing genome editing is by use of Zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), which is a designed, sequences specific endonuclease that can be tailored to cut a user-chosen DNA target leading to deletion or addition of certain bases with the DNA strand (Urnov et al., 2010).

With eugenics, this “exponential increase of micro-genetic illness” could be eliminated completely or reduced to negligible numbers within a few generations. Both parties win: the society will not be burdened by the deteriorating pool, and at the same time the person will have the ability to enjoy the equal freedom of actions. That sounds dandy; however, not all stakeholders have been considered. The most important stakeholder in the situation is the future baby that will have to live with the altered generic makeup. Unfortunately we cannot ask the baby whether it wants to have its genes altered in one way or another. The genetic alterations are done at a preliminary stage of development, when the

There still needs much to be done such as researching the appropriate risks and benefits for the clinical trials (Sciences Engineering medicine (20--). It is rapidly growing and increasing by making heritable genome editing of the embryo, egg, and sperm in the hopeful future (Sciences Engineering medicine (20--) It is very likely to be many years before CRISPR-cas9 is used in human beings. The main attention is drawn towards animal models or isolated human cells (CRIPSR 20--). The purpose of this for the goal to treat diseases in humans. Another plan for the future is to focus on eliminating “off-target” effects, where the CRISPR-cas9 entity cuts different gene to one the one intended to be edited (CRIPSR 20--). In our world today, the