Opposing Views Essay
Genetically modifying the human genome is a topic that has been discussed for several decades, but just recently it is becoming a reality. Through many advancements of technology, the CRISPR method has emerged, and it is providing the opportunity for genetically modifying the human genome to take off. However, allowing the use of the CRISPR method is not just a black and white decision. Modifying the human genome is a hot debate in the science and medical fields todays. Arguments in support of modifying the human genome including the following; offers the opportunity to cure genetic diseases, improves the value of life, it is similar to any other intrusive medical therapy, and it provides beneficence. Nevertheless, although we have this type of technology at our fingertips, there are many concerns with editing the human genome. Some of the concerns include the following; the potential safety issues, the unknown consequences that may evolve from a procedure of this kind, sacrificing human dignity, and finally nonmaleficence. There are arguments in support of modifying the human genome to cure genetic diseases, and there are arguments in opposition of modifying the human genome to cure genetic diseases because of the ethicality of the procedure.
The power to genetically modify the human genome is being held captive even though it holds the opportunity to cure genetic diseases. The CRISPR method offers “unparalleled potential for modifying the human
CRISPR is a new gene-modifying tool that has the potential to treat numerous medical conditions by editing genes that are responsible for certain diseases. This technology is based on the ability of bacteria to destroy the DNA of invading viruses. Studies have suggested that this new technology can be applied to human cells, although the idea of chopping up regions of the human genome can be unethical and could even be harmful. In order for the treatment to be administered to a patient, a small piece of RNA and an enzyme that makes a cut in the DNA are delivered to the cells. A biotechnology company, known as Editas Medicine, located in Cambridge, MA, is already designing treatments for conditions of the blood and the eye using CRISPR. For
On the one hand, some argue that genetically modifying DNA may aid in the removal of diseases. An Article by Amy Harmon, the New York Times National Correspondent, discusses the advancements in gene editing tools and how it's becoming a more promising practice. With the recent success in editing genes, more groups such as governments are looking into funding for these practices. The removal of certain genes form certain bugs may remove diseases and stop them from being spread.In humans, it could help stop spreading diseases spread by heredity. A new tool is being used in order to safely edit dna, “... Crispr provides an effective way to harness it. By encoding
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
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.
CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat, referring to the repeating DNA sequences found in the genomes of microorganisms. CRISPR technology allows scientists to make precise changes in genes by splicing and replacing these DNA sequences with new ones. Through these changes, the biology of the cell is altered and possibly affects the health of an organism. The possibilities are endless as this offers opportunities in curing deadly diseases, modifying genes, and changing humanity as we know it. Although bioengineering has been around since the 1960s, CRISPR is significant because of the comparative low costs and the ease of the procedure to
There are other types of gene editing out there but research shows us that CRISPR is fast, precise, and simple. Researchers are developing a way for CRISPR therapy to help with Alzheimer’s all the way to HIV. There are two categories the researchers and people have put CRISPR in: practical and philosophical. The researchers say that the immediate barrier is practical. During the tests, CRISPR has found targets in other parts of the DNA that need fixing other than the intended part of the DNA. Because of this, it may take at least a generation to ensure that it is safe. Some people oppose CRISPR because the oppositionists say it lets people play god but getting medicine every time you get sick with the same thing obscures the natural order of things. The opportunities are getting pushed ahead for treating cancer, childhood diseases that are genetic, and how to understand diabetes better. The one question some people have is whether it’s right to edit genes that are
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
In “Life the Remix,” Alice Park discusses the impact and influence CRISPR has on science as well as its potential and risks. CRISPR—“clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”—is a technique to alter DNA, virtually for anything involving DNA. Although there have been attempts to edit DNA, none were as cheap and simple as CRISPR. This technique, which is based on the immune system of a bacetria, revolutionizes genetics after the subsequent discoveries of the molecular scissors enzyme: Cas9 and a method to efficiently and accurately edit human DNA using CRISPR, explains Park.
Genetic diseases and illnesses have been of much concern for many years, leaving many deceased or with a poor quality of life. Due to the implication of modern medicine and other techniques used for treatments, mortality rates have decreased and the average life expectancy has increased. Unfortunately, every individual responds differently to the type of treatment they need, which is why the implication of personalized medicine is forthcoming. A certain technique that has been distinguished and commended by researchers today is known as clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats, or CRISPR. CRISPR is associated with Cas9, and it is a popular genome editing technique which can be programmed to target specific areas of DNA and
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.
While saving lives is an attractive prospect, several ethical objections have been raised. Firstly, it may be wrong to make major changes to human DNA at all, as it alters the innate nature of humanity. Secondly, the technology has the potential to be used for other, controversial purposes, such as manufacturing humans or enhancing traits. These ethical concerns must be weighed against the benefits of developing this
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.
The CRISPR technology opens the door to more than a few unethical implications. This genetic engineering is not a technology limited to mature human cells, CRISPR can, and mostly likely will, be used to modify the genes of human embryos, effectively allowing the creation of a new class of modified humans, or what the co-inventor of CRISPR refers to as, “Designer Babies”. This class of modified humans will results in a gradual and irreversible evolution of the human species. The changes will start small, select families will have the power to change their child’s genetic makeup to prevent an imminent disease. But as time and the human understanding of genetic code progresses the temptation to use this technology for vanity will inevitably increase.
The author, Joel Achenbach from The Washington Post, wrote about the ethicists caution in applying CRISPR to gene editing in humans. He examines the arguments that the ethicists are concerned about. Some of which are, to prevent the cosmetic enhancements that would lead to permanent genetic changes in the human species, not crossing the thin line of playing God, and having heavy restrictions on this technique. The next steps are to continue with caution and to come up with a list of rules and regulations for this new technique. In my research paper this article will help me discuss the pros and cons and how we should go about this new technology.
Biology, in all of its glory, is quite amazing. It has always existed and always will; it merely just waits for a human to attempt to understand it. This understanding has taken centuries, however it seems to increase with the years. A very popular topic amongst biologists today is the genome, understanding it, mapping it, comparing one organism’s to another and so on. With the understanding of this genome though, we as humans want to delve into it, tweak it, and manipulate it until it is perfection to our standards. A development has arisen that will one day provide ways to make precise, targeted changes to the genome of living cells (1). CRISPR- Cas9 is the development that many scientists believe will eventually change the face of