CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary gene-editing technology, first invented by biochemist Jennifer Doudna and microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier. This method, aptly dubbed “genetic scissors,” enables scientists to cut DNA through precise removals and alterations of DNA sequences, which allows for the correction of genetic errors and the manipulation of gene expression. This technology has extreme potential to correct mistakes in DNA that cause conditions ranging from congenital birth defects and cancer. Additionally, CRISPR utilizes gRNAs (guide RNAs) to target specific sections of DNA/RNA in a cell. These gRNAs enable scientists to use CRISPR technology to cut genetic information with high precision.
Last month, researchers from Spain and the USA worked together to test how well modified CRISPR-RfxCas13d gRNAs could improve gene targeting in zebrafish embryos. They wanted to see how they could further improve CRISPR technology to target specific sequences in living organisms. They used chemically-modified gRNAs along with a protein called RfxCas13d to turn off genes active during the developmental stages in zebrafish embryos. They then modified the protein to be particularly efficient in zebrafish cells, and compared their various results of the CRISPR targeting.
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The scientists found that chemically-modified gRNAs do in fact improve the process of cutting out genetic information in living embryos. They further proposed that this process could be replicated to enhance the effectiveness of CRISPR editing in other organisms, too.
In this past AP Biology unit, we have learned about how harmful mutations can be, and what kinds of disorders can arise from those mutations. In class, we learned the different types of mutations (substitution, deletion, etc) and how even one seemingly small change in genetic code could have devastating effects on the affected organism; CRISPR might eventually be used to correct these harmful mutations in humans. Although there is still much more research to be done on CRISPR technology to reach the point at which we can begin to resolve genetic problems in humans, the possible uses of CRISPR are vast.
Whenever I think of CRISPR, I’m always reminded of the novel Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. The book is set in a dystopian world where embryos are genetically modified to create people that “perfectly” fit their specific hierarchical positions and roles in society. As a result of gene editing, people in the depicted society lack true emotions and individuality. Although Huxley’s novel was written decades before CRISPR was invented, its warning about the dangers of manipulating genes rings true, especially now. What do you think of the ethical dilemma that CRISPR gene editing poses? How far is too far when it comes to scientific and technological progress, and who gets to decide those limitations?
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