Looking at our world, perpetually lit by the fires of unrest and conflict, it sure is easy to see a lot of issues. There are a lot that captivate the attentions of our world leaders and for the most part, it seems that our global paradigm of dealing with issues is to act reactively, rather than proactively. However, when it comes to a particular issue that demands our global attention, we find ourselves staring not at an issue inherently policy-oriented in nature, but rather scientific: the future of genetic modification.
Humans have been genetically engineering organisms for nearly 10,000 years using traditional methods of modification—among these methods include selective breeding and crossbreeding. Though effective, these methods were unreliable and were only able to change certain traits. A lack of control over our genetic material proved to be a clear hindrance to our species; when harnessed, advancements in other fields of knowledge would be immeasurable. Once seen as an impossible task, scientists have been able to exploit genes and take control of them. CRISPR-Cas9 is a system that allows scientists to cleave off sections of DNA and artificially modify them by inserting a mutation into the place of the old DNA. This is exceptionally precise, whilst
The animals that belong in our ecosystem is diminishing as time goes on, many of which we have not thought of becoming endangered, are being threatened. Scientists have figured out an alternative solution to save species from being threatened by humans and natural disasters. This alternative way is gene editing, as Joseph Dussault stated in the Christian Monitor: “Gene drive, a controversial genetic editing technique through which scientists could alter or eliminate entire species, is mostly discussed alongside Zika and malaria fears” (par. 2). It can help save species as well as turn it around and attack themselves for carrying a disease. With the use of gene editing, helping preserve the species
Genome editing is a huge leap forward in science and medicine. Because of recent advances in technology, the study of genes and induced ‘point’ mutations have led to the discovery and advancement of methods previously used in order to mutate genes. The development of Clusters of Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR associated system 9 protein (Cas9) technology is a hugely significant leap forward as this is a tool that could potentially be used for the research into and hopefully the treatment of a range of medical conditions that are genetically related. Cystic fibrosis (Schwank, G. et al, 2013), haemophilia and sickle cell disease are an example of some of the conditions that have the
This article discusses the big question on how far should gene editing go. Gene editing is literally changing who we are. By changing one generation, the rest that follows are different as well. Being human, we naturally have many faults, but with gene editing all can be erased; we’d be perfect. This article is important as it debates the hard question about gene editing, where to stop. Also at the bottom is a survey on if we should be able to design our children.
Throughout life, many individuals experience difficulties due to growing up in everyday life. While going in depth of the human life, it is discovered that there are many diseases and disorders that affect humans’ everyday functions. A very popular disease that has traumatically affected the human body is cancer. Cancer is a disease that spreads throughout your body in many ways. The purpose of cancer is to attach to a blood cell in your body and cause a plague within itself, causing the body to initially shut down and die. This disease contains many forms and have many causes to it. However its main goal is to destroy the human body.
Long times ago, even during the 19th century, scientist all over the world had started to find the cure for cancer, one of the most feared disease you can ever imagine, simply because you don’t know what the cause and how to turn it off. Cancer started
Imagine that within the snap of your finger the very tumor in your body, that was once rapidly dividing and taking over your organs is now gone. All because of a “cure”. Well, snap your fingers right back into reality. Although a cure is very much wanted, there is not one. The only “cure” is within ourselves, a simple lifestyle change. According to the Cancer Center, next to heart disease, the largest cause of death today in the United States is cancer.
As the main source of death in the United States, malignancy gets a gigantic measure of consideration from analysts and research healing centers devoted to deciding the cause and hunting down cures. Around one-portion of men and 33% of ladies will build up some kind of malignancy amid their lifetime. Confidence is vital, be that as it may, as a great many individuals are presently living disease free on account of the endeavors of scientists and the donations of individuals over the world.
Cancer affects everyone – the young and old, the rich and poor, men, women and children – and represents a tremendous burden on patients, families and societies. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, particularly in developing countries.
Many humans in the world suffer from cancer. This disease has caused many people to lose their life or even their loved one’s life. Researchers have done many studies to try and tackle this deadly infection, but everything they have tried has either caused cancer to progress or come
Every few years, advancements in technology alter the way scientists do their work. Recently CRISPR-Cas9, a RNA useful for working organisms in the animal kingdom has proven itself beneficial on a gene-editing platform. After performing many abortive attempts to manipulate gene function, including homologous recombination and RNA interference, scientists have finally had a breakthrough with CRISPR-Cas9.
CRISPR is versatile in that any target sequence can be modified by simply altering the gRNA sequence. In addition, multiple genes can be edited at the same time with great specificity (Cong 88-89). The convenience and accessibility of CRISPR resourced have also allowed thousands of laboratories worldwide to study CRISPR in different ways, which has broadened the horizons of its biomedical and clinical implications (Collins et al 259). Overall, the ease and simplicity of CRISPR technology has allowed for a rapid increase in the understanding of genome editing, which will allow CRISPR to revolutionize how certain conditions will be treated.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a unique technology that can be used to edit the human genome (1). Compared to other techniques of editing DNA, CRISPR and Cas9 are cheaper, faster, and more accurate. CRISPR-Cas9 gives geneticists as well as medical researchers the ability to edit specific parts of the genome by the removal, adding, or altering of certain sections of DNA sequences (1). CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and is a part of bacterial defense system (2). The two key molecules of CRISPR-Cas9 are Cas9 (an enzyme that can cut DNA at specific locations) and guide RNA (a small piece of RNA sequence that guides where the Cas9 should cut) (1). CRISPR is a crucial component
“The Emperor of All Maladies” captured the whole essence of cancer. This book gave a very good narrative of the historical record of cancer, the scientists and important public figures who contributed to the fight against a disease that has so much caused despair, pain, disfiguring of the body and worst of all, death. Cancer is seen as the abnormal growth of cells. A normal cell becomes cancerous when there is a defect in the regulation of its growth. Cancerous cells also tend to be elusive and resistant to treatments. Numerous attempts have been channeled into demystifying the nature of cancer. Some of these attempts proved abortive while a few served as a harbinger of hope. Cancer have proved to be part of our genetic makeup, hence, total eradication of it remains a future accomplishment.