Ailaun Seto
April 1st, 2014
Genetics Biol 30---
The New York Times: Crispr
Crispr
This New York Times article, “A Powerful New Way to Edit DNA” by Andrew Pollack talks about the molecular system called Crispr, also known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. Crispr was first discovered in the late 1980’s by scientists who noticed unusual repeated DNA sequences next to a gene that they were studying in bacteria. However, their significance was unknown until it became possible to sequence the entire genome of bacteria, at which time, scientists noticed that these repeated DNA sequences appeared in many bacterial species. It wasn’t until 2007, when researchers working for a company that supplied bacterial cultures used in making cheese and yogurt, confirmed the hypothesis that Crispr worked as an immune system in bacteria to fight off viruses.
Crispr works in bacteria as part of the adaptive immune system, where the immune system works by remembering previous encounters with pathogens and viruses. Crispr, the repeated DNA sequences, are located in the genome where they are separated from one another by other sequences called “spacers”. These “spacers” contain the sequences of previous pathogens and viruses that the immune system has encountered before, allowing the body to “remember” what is or isn’t harmful. Crispr works by splicing the DNA sequence so that the system will remember the DNA sequence of the virus, and will be able to destroy it again in the future. A new “spacer” will appear each time a new pathogen or virus invades, creating this Crispr region, which is essentially a recording of all previous encounters with viruses.
Crispr is now being used in a variety of ways, one of which include using ...
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...work of Crispr. I understand that there might be unwanted side effects through the use of Crispr on DNA that might permanently damage or turn off untargeted genes, but I believe that the possibility is present in any and every method used in working with DNA. However, it seems as if Crispr may be a more target-specific method than the other methods currently being known or used. As for the ethical concerns, these are certainly valid concerns, but I believe that the other multiple uses for Crispr may progress society for the better. For example, “designer babies” are an ethical concern because then children may be genetically altered, but what if they were genetically modified to not inherit a life-threatening disease just by changing their genes? It seems to me that the possibilities from the work and use of Crispr would create a better quality of life for society.
In the book, Crispin: The Cross of Lead, the protagonist Crispin faces many conflicts throughout the book in which he must conquer in order to find who he really is. These conflicts change Crispin as a character over the course of the book, as he overcomes them to find out his true self. One conflict for Crispin is person vs society where he becomes known as a wolf’s head and does not have any friends, or family. This is until he meets Bear who helps Crispin overcome this conflict. For example, John Aycliffe tries to find Crispin, but helps him get away. As the story develops Crispin saves Bear from John Aycliffe, showing their friendship.
Have you ever felt safe with someone, even though by all appearance you should be terrified? In Crispin, written by Avi, “Asta’s son” faces a similar dilemma. Everyone agrees that Crispin remained with Bear after being captured, but some believe that Crispin should have stayed with Bear and some believe Crispin should not have stayed with Bear.
Over the last fifty years or so, scientists have made a great amount of progress in this area, including the development of techniques which allow for the controlled manipulation and replication of specific segments of the human genome. These types of techniques have come to be known as recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology and have allowed scientists to analyze functions of genes which are not necessarily directly expressed at the phenotypic level. This is done by "cutting out" or excising a particular segment of DNA of interest from the genetic material of an individual and inserting it into a bacterial plasmid (a tiny ring of DNA in addition to the normal chromosomal material found within the cells of bacteria).
...s of gene therapy is that the mortality rate is very high. This is because Immune system may attack cells and cells may attack vital organs. Furthermore, ethical issues should be dealt in a positive way. The technological institute has to reduce the unnecessary expenses of the treatment. I highly suggest the government investing more money on the development of gene therapy.
Genetic engineering depends on the location and analysis of genes on chromosomes and ultimately DNA sequencing. The early cartography of the genes used the principles of Mendelian genetics . It is assumed that alleles that are transmitted together side by side are located on the same chromosome : it is said that are connected or linkage . These genes form a bridging group - linkage group : are the same for gametes and are usually transmitted together , so they do not have independent distribution. Crossing-over occurring during meiosis may cause these alleles can be exchanged between the chromosomes of a homologous pair .
"The aim is to decrease the fear of a brave new world and to encourage people to be more proactive about their health. It [Gene therapy] will help humans become better physically and even mentally and extend human life. It is the future” (Hulbert). Dr. Hulbert, a genetic engineer, couldn’t be anymore right; more time, money, and research needs to be put into gene therapy and genetic engineering, since it can cure certain illness and diseases that are incurable with modern medicine, has fewer side-effects than conventional drugs or surgery, and allows humans to be stronger physically and mentally at birth. Gene therapy or genetic engineering is the development and application of scientific methods, procedures, and technologies that permit direct manipulation of genetic material in order to alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or population (NIH). It essentially means that we can change DNA to make an organism better. Genetic engineering is used with animals and plants every day; for example with genetic...
One of the most necessary uses of genetic engineering is tackling diseases. As listed above, some of the deadliest diseases in the world that have yet to be conquered could ultimately be wiped out by the use of genetic engineering. Because there are a great deal of genetic mutations people suffer from it is impractical that we will ever be able to get rid of them unless we involve genetic engineering in future generations (pros and cons of genetic eng). The negative aspect to this is the possible chain reaction that can occur from gene alteration. While altering a gene to do one thing, like cure a disease, there is no way of knowing if a different reaction will occur at the cellular or genetic level because of it; causing another problem, possibly worse than the disease they started off with (5 pros and cons of gen. eng.). This technology has such a wide range of unknown, it is simply not safe for society to be condoning to. As well as safety concerns, this can also cause emotional trauma to people putting their hopes into genetic engineering curing their loved ones, when there is a possibility it could result in more damage in the
This paper goes over genetic engineering and how it is used today in the medical field as two types on humans, disabled genetic engineering and trait genetic engineering. This two types of genetic engineering are still debatable since they have to surpass many obstacles and laws. The sources gave statements from professionals and experts on genetic engineering, biomedical science, biomedical engineering, and human anatomy and physiology. The individuals gave their inputs on how they view genetic engineering on human beings.
The birth of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA began in Stanford University, in the year 1970 (Hein). Biochemistry and medicine researchers were pursuing separate research pathways, yet these pathways converged to form what is now known as biotechnology (Hein). The biochemistry department was, at the time, focusing on an animal virus, and found a method of slicing DNA so cleanly that it would reform and go on to infect other cells. (Hein) The medical department focused on bacteria and developed a microscopic molecular messenger, that could not only carry a foreign “blueprint”, or message, but could also get the bacteria to read and copy the information. (Hein) One concept is needed to understand what happened at Stanford: how a bacterial “factory” turns “on” or “off”. (Hein) When a cell is dividing or producing a protein, it uses promoters (“on switches”) to start the process and terminators (“off switches”) to stop the process. (Hein) To form proteins, promoters and terminators are used to tell where the protein begins and where it ends. (Hein) In 1972 Herbert Boyer, a biochemist, provided Stanford with a bacterial enzyme called Eco R1. (Hein) This enzyme is used by bacteria to defend themselves against bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses. (Hein) The biochemistry department used this enzyme as a “molecular scalpel”, to cut a monkey virus called SV40. (Hein) What the Stanford researchers observed was that, when they did this, the virus reformed at the cleaved site in a circular manner. It later went on to infect other cells as if nothing had happened. (Hein) This proved that EcoR1 could cut the bonding sites on two different DNA strands, which could be combined using the “sticky ends” at the sites. (Hein). The contribution towards genetic engineering from the biochemistry department was the observations of EcoR1’s cleavage of
Gene therapy enables patients to survive incurable diseases. In the field of genetic diseases, ADA-SCID, CGD and hemophilia are three main ones. ADA-SCID is known as the bubble boy disease. CGD is related to immune system that would lead to fungal infections which are fatal. Patients with Hemophilia are not able to induce bold bleeding (Gene therapy for diseases, 2011). Gene therapy also has good effects on cancer treatment and neurodegenerative diseases, which include Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Viral infections, including influenza, HIV and hepatitis can also be treats by it (Gene therapy for diseases, 2011). According to the Science Daily in 2011, gene therapy now can apply to heart failures and neurologic diseases as well.
In a recent study by Editas Medicine, they are working with CRISPR to prevent a blinding disorder called “leber congenital amarurosis” which is a rare inherited disease (Knapton, 2015). This disorder is due to a defect in a gene that encodes for a protein that is essential for vision, using CRISPR they are able to cut out the mutated areas. This is one example on how modifying DNA can be beneficial and why it should be accepted. Many inherited disorders like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs. With parents having genetic screen tests they can provide a better future for their children and prevent them from a life with a
The main ethical dilemma presented in the film is the use of genetic modification technology in humans. The scientists initially approach this dilemma by thinking like classic teleologians. “By incorporating human DNA into the hybrid template, we can begin to address any number of genetically influenced diseases…Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, even some forms of cancer”. (Splice, 2009) They are producing a greater good by choosing this ethical path. This is the core motive for the current use of GMOs. According to the Human Genome Project (U.S. Department of Energy Genome Programs, 2008), GMOs have a variety of applications; To increase the yield of crops and animal products, to make plants and animals more resistant to certain disease, and more efficiently processed are but a few. The end product of these applications is, in theory, to benefit humanity. If we are already genetically modifying plants and animals, is a...
Advancements in science and medicine are usually accompanied with a myriad of ethical and moral implications. The fairly recent advancement in genetics called gene therapy is no exception to the baggage of polarizing views that come with new technology. Gene therapy is an extremely hot topic in both the science world and everyday life. New technology, discoveries, and breakthroughs are rapidly occurring in the field every day. The topic of gene therapy in humans is one that is highly debated due to the ethical implications connected to the science. Both sides of the debate have various reasons for their position, but the main factors come down to the ethics of changing someone’s genome and the consequences that accompany the altercations. The two types of gene therapy, somatic and germ-line are seen in different lights. There is more debate over germ-line therapy because the alterations have more consequences than somatic gene therapy. There are many moral and ethical decisions that need to be considered before gene therapy can be widely accepted. Do we have the right to change a person’s genetics, especially before they are born? Do we know enough to confidently insert or delete genes without detrimental consequences down the road? If we have the ability to help people who have disabilities or diseases, is it ethical to withhold and not treat the patient? I believe human gene therapy is a good and useful tool for medicine and needs to be developed because it posses the ability to help and cure people from ailments that degrade their quality of life.
...created by injecting cancer cells into mice—can now be produced using DNA that’s made in a laboratory or taken from human cells.
The myriad mysteries of science can be unraveled by the emerging technologies including Biotechnology. Science has always been my interest and forte thus, the choice of Biotechnology as my academic option was the ideal decision. I had prepared for the highly competitive entrance exam AIET to get admission into the integrated Masters Degree in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at Dr. D.Y. Patil University and secured 87th all over India rank and was proud to gain admission to this venerated university. The academic curriculum has introduced me to amazing subjects like ‘Microbiology’, ‘Molecular Biology’, ‘Biochemistry’, ‘Genetics’ and ‘Industrial Biotechnology’. Although many seminal biological events have been explained in theory during the past century, the technology to harness their potential for benefiting humankind has only been possible during the past few decades. This is testament to the great improvements in biotechnologies and I am glad to be a part of this grand scientific experience.