The Pros And Cons Of CRISPR

The sequences of CRISPR were first discovered in 1987, when scientists reading genetic code found five identical segments of DNA separated by bits of DNA that match that of a virus. CRISPR, which is a specialized strand of DNA, stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. It can be used as a defense system to “cut out” and destroy virus DNA and unwanted genes. It is the most powerful genetic engineering technology ever discovered, and harnessing and using it could have both powerful benefits and dire consequences.

The biggest pro of CRISPR is its function- the fact that it can be used to cut out any bad gene that it is “told to.” One way it could potentially help people is by protecting against Alzheimer’s disease by cutting out the gene that increases the risk of contracting Alzheimer’s and replacing it with a protective gene, the likes of which are found naturally in some. In trials, CRISPR was used to increase the strength of mice with muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is thus far incurable, but being able to increase the strength of

It could cause a permanent change in generations to come in whatever organism receives the new gene. If you enhance the DNA of an animal, you run the risk of overpopulation, that animal becoming toxic to another, or changing their environment in another, unforeseeable way. The other concern, mainly regarding using CRISPR in human beings and embryos is the dilemma of crossing an “ethical line.” Embryos and future generation can’t consent to being genetically altered. CRISPR could potentially be used to create a “designer baby,” which is an embryo that has been genetically altered to produce desirable, even superior, traits. Some consider this unethical, and that it would be getting rid of natural diversity. This process of gene editing could be used to make people wealthy, instead of keeping it available for