A group of researchers at the University of Zurich have completed a study to test whether CRISPR gene editing technology can be used to correct the DNA sequence error in people with chronic granulomatous, a rare genetic disease that causes white blood cells to be unable to kill certain pathogens. They found that the technology was successfully able to insert the two nitrogenous bases, that are missing in people with this disease, into the DNA sequence. While this process was successful, they also found that, at the same time, it caused further damage to the DNA.
After performing the gene editing process, the scientists found new defects in the newly repaired cells. In certain cells, the entire section of the DNA where the editing took place was missing. This is due to the NCF1 gene and its characteristics. It shows up three times in the DNA; once as an active gene, and twice as pseudogenes, which are sections of DNA that resemble active genes but are in fact nonfunctional. The CRISPR technology cannot distinguish between the two versions of the gene and therefore ends up editing multiple portions of the DNA, resulting in gene segments being misaligned or missing. The consequences of such errors are still not fully understood and can be unpredictable. Therefore medical professionals are hesitant to use this method of treatment for chronic granulomatous disease. Other research teams have continued this work to find a safer method of treatment using CRISPR. Do you think that CRISPR should be used to cure diseases like chronic granulomatous despite possible risks?
Model of DNA Structure
This connects to the AP Biology subjects of DNA structure and function. The CRISPR technology performs edits to DNA sequences such as adding or removing certain nitrogenous bases, which is closely related to DNA structure. It also relates to DNA function as changing the sequence of the DNA will alter what the DNA codes for. This changes how certain portions of DNA affect cell processes by, for example, producing different proteins.
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