The term CRISPR/Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR associated protein 9. It is a genome-editing tool that is causing a buzz in the scientific world today. It is an exceptional technology that facilitates geneticists and medical researchers to check other parts of the genome, by removing, adding or changing segments of the DNA sequence (Pollack, 2014). It is high-speed, economical and more precise than previous procedures of editing DNA and has an extensive series of possible applications.
CRISPR/Cas9 is an adoption origianting from the ordinarily occurring genome editing mechanism possessed by bacteria that serves as defiance against virus. After withstanding viral attack bacteria keeps a memory DNA from invading viruses and use retained information to create DNA fragments referred to as arrays. The CRISPR fragments enable the bacteria to “recall” all viruses they have encountered as well as those that may be closely related. If the virus attacks once more, the bacteria creates RNA sections that are based the CRISPR segments that target the viruses’ DNA. The bacterium proceeds to enable Cas9 or a relevant parallel enzyme to dice the DNA separately. The dicing of the virus DNA is characterized the disabling of the virus. In the lab, researchers develop a tiny section of RNA with a small “lead” chain that connects to an precise location of sequence in the DNA in a genome. The NRA also attaches to the Cas9 enzyme. In other words the bacterium, the adjusted DNA is used to recognize the DNA chain, and the Cas9 enzyme slashes the DNA at the aimed place. While Cas9 is the enzyme that is easily exploited, further enzymes such as, Cpf1 may be targeted. Many other approaches to gene edition have been influential slashed, researchers use the cell’s personal DNA mend machinery to either include or erase parts of the genetic material or to create transformations to the DNA by reinstating a surviving segment with a tailored DNA string.
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Like any latest medical therapy, CRISPR/Cas9 poses both safety and ethical concerns. While experiments have shown that the technique can be used in human or other animals and plants, it as well caused several unintentional, “off aim” effects on various parts of the genome (Pollack, 2014). These transformations might be a guide to other genetic problems, some of which might be lethal. No information is available to articulate that the application of CRISPR in human beings is secure or dependable. Gene editing is advancing, but experts still have still have to undertake numerous studies to confirm that the process is indeed safe for humans. It is known that experimentation in in gene editing has already heard several high profile misfortunes. Besides safety, various experts argue the use of CRISPR to accurate congenital genetic defects is needless. Physicians can by now screen out lots of these ailments before pregnancy. Conversely, if the use of germline editing goes on, it might result to the development of “designer babies” with a DNA that is cautiously put together to enhance their look, intellect or other mannerism that may not medically necessary. The enhancements could also not uniformly allocate amongst the population leading to a culture of hereditary halves. Remember this also opens the door to other potentially creepy thought, specter eugenics, the racist attempts to “advance” the human race through shaping genetics and reproduction.
A person might find him/herself in a philosophical dilemma, where it centers to a level on which the gene editing process ought to be applied to change ‘germ-line’ egg-cells as well as sperms that the carry and transfer genes from the previous generations to the next generations. Despite the fact that it is not yet possible to produce designer babies the debate on this is issue is already on. The fear is great even among the scientist including the CRISPR/Cas9 pioneer.
Reference
Pollack, A. (2014, March 3). A Powerful New Way to Edit DNA. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/04/health/a-powerful-new-way-to-edit-dna.html
