CRISPR is a technique that made genomic editing significantly easier. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas (CRISPR-associated protein) is a RNA-guided nuclease for precise genome editing in diverse organisms.
In 1987, when scientists were studying the bacteria's immune system, they discovered a pattern of short, repeating, palindromic DNA sequences separated by short, non-repeating, "spacer" DNA sequences (Figure 1).
How CRISPR/Cas works in bacteria:
As shown in Figure 2, the CRISPR immune system protects bacteria from repeated viral attack by three basic steps:
Step 1) Adaptation – When bacteria are invaded by a foreign DNA from a virus, they can duplicate and then incorporate the segments of the foreign DNA into their genome as "spacers" between the short DNA repeats in CRISPR.
Step 2) Production of CRISPR RNA – CRISPR repeats and …show more content…
What are the potential ethical concerns with this technology?
While some have argued that CRIPR should be banned from further applications, others have supported the technology because of its potential to eliminate deadly genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis.
In one of experiments in China, scientists discovered off-target mutations in the genome. Off-target mutations are unintended mutations in the genome. They occur when CRISPR-Cas9 splices other DNA sequences that are homologous to the target DNA in the genome. These mutations can cause cell death or transformation.
CRISPR-Cas9 technology could be used for non-therapeutic modifications such as genetic enhancement such as change in skin color, enhance cognitive ability. This could lead to loss of diversity and eugenics. Though it confers benefits, the technology can be beneficial to richest people because of higher cost of technology. This further expands the inequality gap between rich and
In 1987, when scientists were studying the bacteria's immune system, they discovered a pattern of short, repeating, palindromic DNA sequences separated by short, non-repeating, "spacer" DNA sequences (Figure 1).
How CRISPR/Cas works in bacteria:
As shown in Figure 2, the CRISPR immune system protects bacteria from repeated viral attack by three basic steps:
Step 1) Adaptation – When bacteria are invaded by a foreign DNA from a virus, they can duplicate and then incorporate the segments of the foreign DNA into their genome as "spacers" between the short DNA repeats in CRISPR.
Step 2) Production of CRISPR RNA – CRISPR repeats and …show more content…
What are the potential ethical concerns with this technology?
While some have argued that CRIPR should be banned from further applications, others have supported the technology because of its potential to eliminate deadly genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis.
In one of experiments in China, scientists discovered off-target mutations in the genome. Off-target mutations are unintended mutations in the genome. They occur when CRISPR-Cas9 splices other DNA sequences that are homologous to the target DNA in the genome. These mutations can cause cell death or transformation.
CRISPR-Cas9 technology could be used for non-therapeutic modifications such as genetic enhancement such as change in skin color, enhance cognitive ability. This could lead to loss of diversity and eugenics. Though it confers benefits, the technology can be beneficial to richest people because of higher cost of technology. This further expands the inequality gap between rich and