CRISPR is a genetic editing tool utilizing a bacterial defense system in order to (at its current state) enable artificial single-unit nucleotide replacement within DNA. Such a tool has amazing potential to greatly improve the health of our future generations and its quality of life. However, although able to be used to target certain genetic conditions like heart conditions, how far is too far when it comes to genetic editing? CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) originates in bacterial cells such as E. coli and are used to depend the cells from invading viruses. Working like a pair of scissors, CRISPR is able to cut up foreign DNA, transcribe the pieces into its own, and use it in order to guide other cellular molecules to attack the invaders (as it is able to identify them based on the DNA segments.
Such technology is able to be manipulated and utilized to act as a pinpoint specific DNA altercation tool by cutting certain parts of DNA and allowing different nucleotides to be put in this. However, an integral requirement for this to function is the Cas-9 protein which contains two nuclease (enzyme that cleaves apart nucleotide sequences) that allow CRISPR to do its magic (hence the common association CRISPR Cas-9).
Acute genome editing allows us to target genetic diseases and defects in a much more powerful and effective way. We can remove portions of DNA coding for disease and ailments, helping to rid the world of birth defects and improving the lives of the future of humanity. Yet, it begs the question of what is too far? The term "designer baby" refers to babies given certain desirable traits and qualities through gene editing. It allows parents to choose what characteristics their child has. So my question to you, the wonderful community of steemit, what do you believe is too far for genetic editing?
Awesome info. It's scary to think of what CRISPR enables use to achieve. Hopefully it's all for good.
I have covered this aspect in my article on the same. Please feel free to comment, promote and upvote
https://steemit.com/science/@kavin-bhogar/playing-god-cracking-the-genetic-code
If this technology is used to remove genetic defects and disorders, there will be no ethical problems to worry about.
All we have to do is strictly limit the genetic engineering we do on humans to only be used when a life-threatening disorder pops up.
Any other disorders that pose small threats should not be able to justify engineering, just to make sure "designer babies" are outlawed.
Nice summary! I have written a detailed answer regarding CRISPR technology in my blog too....please feel free to comment, promote and upvote.
https://steemit.com/science/@kavin-bhogar/playing-god-cracking-the-genetic-code
Well written article! Personally I don't consider ethics to be a problem when saving lives is an option. Besides, so many amazing things can come about from Crispr! Why would people fear evolution?
Some people see an ethical argument against it, but I see so much good being able to come from this!
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