Summary

The essay discusses the potential of genome editing, focusing on the CRISPR-Cas9 tool in medicine and agriculture. It highlights the precision of editing DNA and its transformative applications, addressing genetic disorders in medicine and improving crops in agriculture. The evolution of genome editing tools, ethical considerations, and technical challenges like off-target effects are explored. The essay raises concerns about societal divisions, access to technology, and unintended consequences. People's opinions on gene editing vary, reflecting the complexity of the topic. It emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach between scientific progress and ethical responsibility for a fair and responsible use of genome editing, ultimately aiming for a better world.

Mayra Martinez 

City College of New York 

FIQWS 10111:Composition for Scientific World 

Professor Crowe & Professor Kemeny 

November 14, 2023

The future of medical advancement has evolved into treating diseases and editing them out of existence. Genome editing can change or fix the lives of many to have a future without the negative part of what is holding them back from having an everyday life. Genetics is essential because it is how you know what trait someone will inherit. Understanding genetics is crucial as it helped the evolution of agriculture and medical uses. It allows people to understand how DNA is the blueprint, and changing the genetic information can provide ways to take out disease from the source, which has evolved with genome editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas9. Genome editing, especially with CRISPR-Cas9, creates a precise genetic editing tool. It provides enormous possibilities for fixing diseases and making better crops. However, as we understand how it works, what it can do, and the ethical questions it raises, this essay aims to show that while it is exciting, we also need to be careful and think about the right way to use this powerful tool to change our genetic code. 

Genome editing is like using advanced genetic tools, such as scissors guided by the CRISPR system, to make precise changes in an organism’s DNA. It is like adding, removing, or swapping out specific genetic instructions, opening up possibilities in medicine, farming, and science. This technology has come a long way, transforming biomedical research from the early days of understanding DNA. Though it was primarily known in scientific circles, it has recently gained wider attention ( Pérez-Piñera et al., C. A. (2012). Scientists initially created tools like ZFN and TALEN to break specific DNA parts, paving the way for the more straightforward and effective CRISPR tool widely used in labs today. Think of it like CRISPR, an intelligent GPS directing molecular scissors to cut DNA at the right spot. Scientists then deliver this editing tool into the organism’s cells through viral vectors or direct injection. Once inside, the tool, guided by the GPS-like guide RNA (gRNA), attaches to the target DNA sequence. The molecular scissors (Cas9) then make a precise cut at that location. This cut activates the cell’s natural repair mechanisms, involving Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) for quick fixes that might introduce small changes and Homology-Directed Repair (HDR) for more precise alterations using a template DNA. After the editing, scientists check to ensure the desired changes are there. Genome editing holds exciting applications, like treating genetic disorders in medicine and improving crops in agriculture. As scientists continue advancing this technology, they are working hard to find even more straightforward and precise ways to edit genes. Nevertheless, as we explore these possibilities, we must consider ethical aspects to ensure responsible use. This way, we can reap the benefits of genome editing while being mindful of potential ethical concerns in our changing world.

Genome editing functions like a tool in both medicine and agriculture, offering transformative possibilities. In the realm of medicine, envision a unique tool, such as CRISPR, akin to this tool, capable of delving into our body’s instructions (DNA) and rectifying genetic diseases at their core. The potential lies in making subtle alterations to our genes, heralding a future where diseases can be addressed by these minuscule genetic tweaks ( Nhgri. (2019c, March 13). Scientists are exploring the use of this magical wand to enhance immune cells, making them more adept at combating challenges like cancer or infections. However, the remarkable potential comes with the ongoing challenge of ensuring its safety and long-term effectiveness.

Similarly, genome editing is a specialized tool empowering scientists to enhance crops in agriculture. This tool, analogous to a magic wand in farming, allows for precise adjustments to the plant’s DNA, bolstering resilience against pests, fortifying plants against harsh weather, and enhancing nutritional content. Particularly valuable in creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), these crops offer solutions to agricultural challenges by providing resistance without resorting to harmful chemicals. Genome editing offers a means of improvement without introducing unfamiliar genes, addressing concerns in some quarters. This agricultural magic wand presents a robust method to enhance crop quality, contributing to global food security.

Contemplating the ethical dimensions of genome editing is critical to its application. It prompts essential questions about the responsible and fair use of this powerful tool. While genome editing holds immense promise in addressing genetic diseases and improving food production, concerns linger. Debates surround the potential repercussions of altering our DNA, raising questions about the impact on future generations. Additionally, issues of equitable access to this tool emerge, underscoring the importance of ensuring fairness in its deployment. Striking a balance between scientific progress and ethical responsibility is an ongoing challenge reminiscent of navigating a path between advancement and ethical consideration in using this potent technology.

While holding immense promise, genome editing faces several technical challenges that require careful consideration. One such challenge involves off-target effects, where the precision of editing tools like CRISPR may inadvertently impact unintended DNA sequences. Addressing these technical challenges is crucial for ensuring the accuracy of genetic modifications. However, the successful application of genome editing is exemplified through various case studies, providing tangible examples of its transformative potential.

The discussion around genome editing goes beyond just the immediate concerns. When we talk about making “designer babies” or modifying traits, we need to think about how this technology might create a gap between different groups of people. Some might be able to afford and use genome editing, while others cannot. This could lead to a new kind of division in society based on who can access these technologies. Besides, genome editing has some downsides we need to consider. There is a risk of unintended effects during editing, which might cause health problems or unexpected traits. Changing the human germline, or the genes we pass on to future generations, comes with uncertainties and potential risks that we should think about. The graph shows what people think about using gene editing to lower their babies’ chances of getting sick. It shows what parents worry about when thinking about using gene editing for their unborn kids. The graph tells us that people have different opinions on whether the good things about gene editing, like making sure babies are less likely to get sick, are more important than the possible risks and ethical concerns. Most of the responses show that many people are still deciding and do not strongly agree or disagree. This might be because they are still determining what might happen in the long run, worried about unintended effects, or thinking about the ethics of changing how future generations will be. The graph helps us see how people think about gene editing, showing that it is a complicated topic with many different opinions and considerations. Also, when parents make choices using genome editing, it might unintentionally reduce the diversity of our genes. This complex situation shows the delicate balance between parents making important choices for their children and the ethical need to keep freedom and variety in the changing world of genetic interventions. ( Nhgri,2019, March 13)This could be a problem because diversity is essential for dealing with challenges like diseases or environmental changes. Regarding fairness, some people might have different opportunities to use genome editing, raising questions about justice. So, as we move forward with genome editing, we need to balance the possible benefits with these ethical issues carefully. This means ensuring everyone has a fair chance and that we are not causing unintended problems for scientific progress.

In conclusion, we are entering an inspiring time in medicine where we are not just treating diseases but fixing them at the genetic level. Tools like CRISPR-Cas9 are like genetic surgeons, promising a future where we can edit diseases from our genes for better health. Moreover, it is not just about medicine; this technology is also helping us create crops that can tackle global food challenges. The journey of genome editing, from early tools like ZFN and TALEN to the more advanced CRISPR systems, shows how dedicated and innovative our scientists are. However, as we move forward, we need to be careful. There are technical challenges, and we are figuring out how to use this powerful tool responsibly. It is not just a scientific thing; it is a journey that needs us to think hard about what is right and fair. We are finding a balance between moving science forward and making sure we use this fantastic tool in a way that’s good for everyone. Ultimately, genome editing is not just about science but about making the world better while being responsible and fair to everyone.

References : 

Nhgri. (2019b, March 13). What are the Ethical Concerns of Genome Editing? Genome.gov. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/Genome-Editing/ethical-concerns 

Nhgri. (2019c, March 13). What is genome editing? Genome.gov. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/what-is-Genome-Editing 

Pérez-Piñera, P., Ousterout, D. G., & Gersbach, C. A. (2012). Advances in targeted genome editing. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, 16(3–4), 268–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.06.007 Poster | Expanding the CRISPR toolbox. (2017, October 31). Nature. https://www.nature.com/collections/txhdfslxzh/posters