...Gene Editing: Cures or Scary Science? Humans around the world have much in common but also have an enormous diversity. Some of our differences come from the environment and our life experiences. Gene editing or Genome engineering is the insertion or deletion of a certain DNA cell. The science of refining genes has substantially increased the wipeout of genetic diseases and techniques for disorders not genetically found. “Genetic Engineering has developed and modified the way to discover improved treatments for people with genetic HIV, blindness, familial hypercholesterolemia, Sickle-cell anemia, and Hemophilia”(Friedman, L.). Significantly our genes produce an important contribution towards human behavior and cognition. Humanity has a long history of figuring out ways to modify genes. With gene editing not only has there been a great leap forward, but has the potential to make big changes in our lives. One of the biggest achievements in history...
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...Genetic engineering is a very new and undiscovered topic. Bioengineers have been experimenting with cells in petri dishes, trying to clone cells and mutate them. Scientists have even figured out how to change human DNA before it's even born. Doing so allows them to change physical features, abilities, and prevent certain diseases such as alzheimer's. I imagine that genetic engineering is very helpful and could potentially further our society. However, it is illegal to change or mutate DNA in a child in the US. Specifically modifying or editing gene cells or embryos so that a child has certain features are called “designer babies.” Designer babies could be of great help to society. For example, if the next generation is biologically smarter,...
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...CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing tool that is much cheaper, faster and easier to use then any of its predecessors in gene editing. CRISPR-Cas9 is the most versatile and precise yet simple method of gene editing, which is the reason behind the stirring it has caused in the world of science. The breakthrough technology allows geneticists to edit parts of the human genome by adding, removing or altering sections of the DNA. It consists of two main components: The enzyme (Cas 9) which acts as ‘scissors’ which can cut strands of DNA at a base level allowing it to be altered, and a piece of RNA which is called the ‘guide’. The RNA will bind to the target sequence in the genome after which the Cas9 will follow the RNA and cut across both DNA strands...
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...Genetic Engineering is considered as a dominant and quite dangerous set of tool. It is the process in which the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid which makes up the genes for all living things) is extracted from one organism to put it in another organism’s DNA, therefore it introduces in hereditary traits into the receiver organism (“How Stuff Works”). The nature and characteristics of all living things are determined by special combinations of genes that are carried in their cells, therefore the least changes or alteration can bring a major amount of changes in an organism and its offspring (“How Stuff Works”). Genetic Engineering does not only consist in plants, animal breeding and fertilization of crops it also includes polyploidy (organism which two sets of homologous chromosomes), mutagenesis (process in which the organisms genetic material is changed in sable manner that causes mutation), and cell fusion techniques which does not involve recombinant nucleic acid or genetically modified organism in the process (Wikipedia). Cloning and stem cells also do take a part in Genetic Engineering (Wikipedia). Advances in Genetic Engineering are also playing an important role for agricultural and economic welfare. GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms), the prospect of Genetic engineering amongst agricultural brought some benefits like increasing crop yields, reduction cost for food and drug manufacturing, moderates the needs for pesticides, improved the configuration of nutrients...
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...In the future, the process of aging will likely be renamed as a disease, of which science will be able to find a solution to. Life extension is the study of slowing down or even reversing the process of aging to extend the greatest and average lifespan. As of now, the average human life expectancy in the United States is about seventy-nine years of age. Although the human life expectancy has increased over the years, it has done so considerably slower than it should have. But, by the year of 2067, the human life expectancy will be significantly increased by many new and improved technologies. These life extension technologies consist of nanotechnology, gene editing, and organ replacement. Nanotechnology will be a very interesting way to aid...
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...Introduction: Imagine a world with no cancer, no diseases, every child born perfectly healthy, and living hundreds of years. Seems impossible, right? This will become our future with a new gene editing technique called CRISPR/Cas-9. Although humans have been altering genes and DNA for many years, CRISPR/Cas9 will prove to be one of the most important innovations in American History because it will revolutionize medical treatments, allowing us to make "perfect" designer babies, and perhaps even enabling humans to live forever. Background: Genetic Engineering has been an important technique for most of our modern history. Humans have been selectively breeding and domesticating animals and plants for our own purposes for millennia. By selectively...
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...Imagine a world where no one has disabilities, diseases or any other problem like that and Imagine that humans could live to 150 or above. Well as it turns out this just maybe be possible. “Recently Scientist have started using a new form of surgery that involves using enzymes to get rid of diseases and disabilities by cutting them out” (Griffin, A , 2017). This is known as Genetic Therapy or Gene Engineering and with it we could change the world for the better. So now I’ll tell you just some of great opportunities coming out with this. But before that my claim: Genetic Engineering should be used to enhance humans. Gene Editing should be used, b/c if it was we could possible make it so that people who can’t have children can, also it could get rid of inherent disease. “Scientist in Oregon have begun using CRISPR to start fixing human genes in...
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...on humans. Additionally, as per the course of history, genetic modification...
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...Hunting and removing infection, however, Crispr has the ability to change what it is looking for, and it is more precise. This allows scientist so manipulate what they can have it search for, remove, and replace. Crispr is used to cut and paste old and new DNA into certain locations. It is essentially a form of genetic modification, the most advanced Humans have discovered to date as of yet. Many have made movies and wrote books on the possibilities of Genetic modification, with designer babies and abnormal looking people coming to mind one must realize, this Science fiction reality is here; yet it is not like what the media...
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...Accuracy in Genome Editing A few years ago science only had the ability to imagine genome editing and all the benefits it could bring to society, however it is now in the works of becoming non-fiction as research has significantly improved. Certain proteins in the body such as Cas9 and CRISPR are responsible for the human genetics and the creation of the immune system. The ability to edit these proteins and change their make up can benefit people with many serious present and future health risks. When speaking on the topic of genetically engineering the human body many challenges arise such as, improving the specificity of the proteins at the rate at which genome-editing proteins modify the target DNA sequence. However, this huge challenge that science has yet to overcome is slowly being resolved by Chemistry Professor David Liu. Liu and his team have recently used a drug like molecule to create an engineered form of Cas9. Since this development the team is able to control the production of active Cas6 and modify targets in the human genome. "We showed it's possible to achieve efficient genome editing using this system, but because you can stop the production of active Cas9 by withholding the small molecule once it's had enough time to modify the target genes, you limit the opportunity for off-target genome modification." This discovery has raised many question and given science a huge step towards success. In order to increase the specific genome editing proteins, the proteins...
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...(c) Playing God: Another area of concern, is whether we are playing “God” with human evolution. (Cite – Pro/Con) The notion being science should be left out of childbirth, childbirth is a natural event and has been from the beginning of time. While this may true and childbirth should not be left to science, science is sometimes necessary to intervene when it comes to natural events. “People say we should not go against nature, but that’s illogical because every time we cure a disease we go against nature” (Schishor, Simonet, Canaon) Just because an event is natural or unnatural does not make it right or wrong, rather, the purpose behind the intervention should be the focus. (b) Social Fears: The most problematic social concern opponents...
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...progress in developing effective treatments is an indicator of the efficacy of gene therapy. Haemophilia treatment is effective in curbing the severe bleeding phenotype. Mucus in the lungs resulting from cystic fibrosis has been maintained at the same level instead of further degenerating. The treatment shows a well-tolerated response, but does however need to stimulate a better recovery. Down syndrome has not been treated using gene therapy, but indications of development have been shown with chromosome suppressing technology. Cancer is a likely target for the effective use of gene therapy as an alternative treatment. With acknowledged successes, further investigation can occur...
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...Ethics are basic notions and fundamental principles of human behavior. They are the moral values and virtues an individual carries that eventually govern lives. However, there are various ethical issues that can be contemplated on and questioned about whether it is right or wrong. For instance, is it ethical for doctors to edit children’s genomes? Genome editing offers a great deal of control and accuracy in how DNA sequences are changed. It can provide improvements in healthcare by saving lives. If the procedure is successful then there is a newfound permanent solution to prevent genetic diseases. However, it does create disruptive news to the public of whether it is ethical or an unethical choice. Although alteration in genes may have...
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...However, within research results they have found a series of risks. Such risks include: that not all cells in the embryos have been repaired, the unintentional cutting and insertion of nonmutant genes, and the possible exposure of new diseases (Sas and Lawrenz, 2017). Therefore, from a scientific standpoint the risks do outweigh the benefits and is deemed unethical at this point of research. Future advancements in this technology may cause for an upset in this...
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...kidney waiting list each month and thirteen people die each day while waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. Scientists are currently searching for a solution to organ shortage, and one of the solutions they have suggested is called xenotransplantation. The transplantation of living cells, tissue or organs from one species to another is known as xenotransplantation. In the 1900s, many scientists and doctors attempted to transplant an animal’s organs into a human....
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