As 2019 comes to a close, and the horizon of 2020 is upon us, not only is it the dawn of a new year but a dawn of a new decade as well. New decade, new advancements, new changes to history and new generations. Just 15 years ago, humans lived in a world with no internet connection. It is hard to imagine a time pre-internet, not being able to have access to the world around you at your fingertips. Since the rise of the internet thought, there have been tremendous advancements in the technology field. Technological advancements for better communication, such as smartphones, or for leisure such as social platforms, but some of the best reasons include the medical field. Technological advancements in the health and medical field include things such as disease treatments, body scanning for preventative reasons, organ replacement, or more recently advancements like CRISPR (pronounced “crisper”).
Maybe you have heard and are familiar with CRISPR or maybe you're not, but either way, it is a viable medical advancement that is upon us and could revolutionize the medical world as we know it. Before discussing why some people are pro-CRISPR and why some people are anti-CRISPR, let's outline what CRISPR even is. CRISPR stands for 'Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats' and it is still a new and very young area of scientific exploration. CRISPRs was first discovered in archaea (and later in bacteria) by Francisco Mojica, a scientist at the University of Alicante in Spain. He proposed that CRISPRs serve as part of the bacterial immune system, defending against invading viruses. They consist of repeating sequences of genetic code, interrupted by “spacer” sequences – remnants of genetic code from past invaders. The system serves as a genetic memory that helps the cell detect and destroy invaders (called “bacteriophage”) when they return. Mojica’s theory was experimentally demonstrated in 2007 by a team of scientists led by Philippe Horvath. In January 2013, the Zhang lab published the first method to engineer CRISPR to edit the genome in mouse and human cells. (Zhang, 2018).
What CRISPR aims to do, is allow for genome editing. While the idea of genome editing is about 20 years old, the research and tests for CRISPR did not take off until about 5 to 10 years ago. In the field of genome engineering, the term CRISPR or CRISPR-Cas9 is often used to refer to the various systems that can be programmed to target specific stretches of genetic code and to edit DNA at precise locations. With these systems, researchers can permanently modify genes in living cells and organisms and, in the future, may make it possible to correct mutations at precise locations in the human genome in order to treat genetic causes of disease (Zhang, 2018). Sounds good right, well let's take a look at how this process works.
CRISPR “spacer” sequences are transcribed into short RNA sequences (“CRISPR RNAs” or “crRNAs”) capable of guiding the system to matching sequences of DNA. When the target DNA is found, Cas9 – one of the enzymes produced by the CRISPR system – binds to the DNA and cuts it, shutting the targeted gene off. Using modified versions of Cas9, researchers can activate gene expression instead of cutting the DNA. These techniques allow researchers to study the gene’s function. Research also suggests that CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to target and modify “typos” in the three-billion-letter sequence of the human genome in an effort to treat genetic disease (Zhang, 2018). Now that you know the background of CRISPR, it is time to discuss why people are pro and anti-CRISPR.
First, let us discuss why individuals may choose to be pro-CRISPR, CRISPR technology has wide-ranging applications in various industries. One application includes Cancer Therapeutics, new immunotherapies can be developed using CRISPR to treat cancer. Scientists can genetically modify T-cells using CRISPR to locate and kill cancer cells (Genetics, 2019). Next, CRISPR can be used for curing genetic diseases. It could potentially eliminate the genes that cause genetic diseases such as diabetes or cystic fibrosis. Given that the scientific community has already mapped many genes that cause genetic diseases, CRISPR could be used to cure faulty genes that cause these genetic diseases (Genetics 2019). Two other utilizations for CRISPR include drug research and pest resilient crops. Scientists are predicting that CRISPR could potentially speed up the drug discovery process given the technology is relatively cheap, precise and simple to use. Some of the drug makers in the world are already incorporating CRISPR technology into their drug research and discovery phase (Genetics 2019). According to Jennifer Doudna, CRISPR pioneer, genome editing could address pest and nutrition challenges facing agriculture, especially in light of climate change and rapid population growth. Earlier in 2018, USDA decided not to regulate about a dozen crops edited with CRISPR as GMOs partially due to the accuracy of the technology (Genetics 2019). Since CRISPR is about gene alteration, even plant genes can be affected. While those all sound fantastic and who would not want to support such advancements, there is a grey line that can easily be crossed when doing genetics and DNA alterations. Next will to be discussed, will outline the reasons to be anti-CRISPR.
Have you ever heard someone discuss having a designer baby? Well through CRISPR technology it is possible. Genetically modifications to human embryos and reproductive cells such as eggs and sperms are called germline editing. Changes to the germline can be passed to the next generation. If the desired traits such as intelligence and strong muscles can be passed to the next generation, then we are one step closer to superhuman designer babies (Genetics 2019). Whether you believe in a God or not, this is giving power to humankind to play God and creator. With the uncertainty that comes along with this germline editing, it has instilled some fear in countries. Many countries have an outright ban on germline editing whereas some countries do not have clear guidance. The United States and the United Kingdom are testing the water by considering exemptions in the case of monogenic hereditary disorders such as muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, and Huntington’s disease (Genetics 2019). Another anti-CRISPR reason is that its used for the wrong reasons and bioweapons are created. The former U.S. director of national intelligence James Clapper listed “genome editing” among six threats in the section on weapons of mass destruction in 2016. Compared to other genetic engineering tools, CRISPR technology is relatively inexpensive and simple, which could make it attractive to terrorist organizations. The technology can be used to genetically modify bacteria or viruses to wage biological attacks against humans. DARPA, US’s secretive Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced to invest US$65 million in 2017 over four years in seven teams that will investigate ways to make gene editing technologies safer and targeted. The program relates to both intentional and unintended consequences of gene editing technologies. Three main objectives of the program are:
- to develop processes that allow greater control of genome editing in living systems
- to develop countermeasures that protect genome integrity in populations
- and to investigate a way to remove engineered genes from living systems
While this post is nowhere near all the information about CRISPR it now gives individuals a more in-depth view on what CRISPR is and how it can revolutionize not only the medical world but the future as we know it. It is now up to you as an individual to continue to research on this advancement in order to decide if you are pro-CRISPR or anti-CRISPR. My belief, you can be both, believe in using it to cure diseases but not cross the line of creating genetically 'perfect' people.
