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Modifying the Human species: Can we cure incurable genetic diseases?
We are all different in many ways. It’s normal and that is what makes us all unique. Though sometimes, it can cause a lot of pain and suffering. But now in the twenty first century, we can make ourselves perfect. Geneticist Jennifer Doudna co-invented a groundbreaking new technology for editing genes, called CRISPR-Cas9. The tool allows scientists to make precise edits to DNA strands, which could lead to treatments for genetic diseases . Genetic illnesses such as Down Syndrome, and Cystic Fibrosis have no cures or medication. With this new tool, doctors will find a cure that is bound to succeed. It works by injecting a protein into the body where it is absorbed into a cell. From there, it gets into the nucleus where the genetic information is held. If there is an error in the DNA sequence, the CRISPR technology will make a precise cut at the error and will replace it with a new one. After this, the DNA will automatically repair itself and the rest of the cells into the body until the person is fully cured. According to a MIT technology
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This could mean the end of all genetically inherited diseases and less suffering for families all around the world. In addition, this program is lifesaving program that will not involve much more medical research once cured. The service of the transplant will take about 6 to 7 months at most depending on the type of treatment you get according to the HSI faculty at Harvard University. Also, CRISPR-Cas9 is capable to make a better version of yourself. Theoretically, gene editing could also be used to change traits governed by a small number of genes such as muscularity, eye color, height, and memory according to George Daley, a stem cell biologist at Harvard Medical School. This comes to show that the advantages to releasing CRISPR is very noble and
In this paper, I will argue that genetic therapies should be allowed for diseases and disabilities that cause individuals pain, shorter life spans, and noticeable disadvantages in life. I believe this because everyone deserves to have the most even starting place in life as possible. That is no being should be limited in their life due to diseases and disabilities that can be cured with genetic therapies. I will be basing my argument off the article by “Gene Therapies and the Pursuit of a Better Human” by Sara Goering. One objection to genetic therapies is that removing disabilities and diseases might cause humans to lose sympathy towards others and their fragility (332). However, I do not believe this because there are many other events and conditions in society that spark human compassion and sympathy towards others.
It was in the 1980’s that scientist began looking at alternative ways of treatments, one is gene therapy. Scientist would insert human genes into a bacteria cell. Then the bacteria cell would transcribe and translate the information into a protein. Once that is done the scientist would then introduce the protein into human cells. Gene therapy can be simply viewed as inserting bits of foreign DNA into a patient’s tissue in hope...
Over 40 years ago, two men by the names of James Watson and Francis Crick discovered deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. DNA is hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms (What is DNA?). From this finding, gene therapy evolved. Today, researchers are able to isolate certain specific genes, repair them, and use them to help cure diseases such as cystic fibrosis and hemophilia. However, as great as this sounds, there are numerous ethical and scientific issues that will arise because of religion and safety.
In September 14, 1990, an operation, which is called gene therapy, was performed successfully at the National Institutes of Health in the United States. The operation was only a temporary success because many problems have emerged since then. Gene therapy is a remedy that introduces genes to target cells and replaces defective genes in order to cure the diseases which cannot be cured by traditional medicines. Although gene therapy gives someone who is born with a genetic disease or who suffers cancer a permanent chance of being cured, it is high-risk and sometimes unethical because the failure rate is extremely high and issues like how “good” and “bad” uses of gene therapy can be distinguished still haven’t been answered satisfactorily.
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
In the article “Despite moral objections, panel gives cautious approval to gene editing research” by Eva Botkin- Kowack, it says, “There are thousands of genetic diseases- gene editing could be a huge help for these people and deserves some consideration.” This is true because we will greatly improve the lives of many by allowing them to rid themselves and their children the burden of having, or even carrying, a genetic disease. In the text, it also states it can “treat a range of diseases such a sickle cell, hemophilia, to even lowering risks of certain cancers.” This shows us more specifically some of the viruses that could be gone just by genetic editing. We have access to curing diseases, which is too great of an opportunity to pass up. If society can save lives, why shouldn’t
Genes are made of DNA – the code of life (Gene Therapy- The Great Debate!). The changes in genes may cause serious problems, which we called genetic disorder. In theory, the only method to cure genetic disorders is gene therapy, which basically means the replacement of genes in order to correct the loss or change in people’s DNA. Although gene therapy gives patients with genetic disorders a permanent cure, it is controversial because it has safety and efficacy problems, and raises ethical issues.
The changes it could bring are amazing, there is really no reason to stop learning more about helping to heal the human body. Works Cited Work Citations The "Genetic Engineering" 123HelpMe.com. 08 May 2017 http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=67046>. King James Version. Arizona:
Many patients in hospitals are waiting for transplants and many of them are dying because they are not receiving the needed organs. To solve this problem, scientists have been using embryonic stem cells to produce organs or tissues to repair or replace damaged ones (Human Cloning). Skin for burn victims, brain cells for the brain damaged, hearts, lungs, livers, and kidneys can all be produced. By combining the technology of stem cell research and human cloning, it will be possible to produce the needed tissues and organs for patients in desperate need of a transplant (Human Cloning). The waiting list for transplants will become a lot shorter and a lot less people will have to suffer and die just because they are in great need of a transplant....
In December of last year scientist considered CRISPR as the newest genome editing tool breakthrough of the year, making genetic modification less cost efficiency with faster results. Though many scientist claim that CRISPR can find a cure for many diseases society cannot ignore the dangers that can come with it. Just like any other research projects something is bond to go wrong during the process of developing a cure for a certain disease and
Imagine that we could prevent disease by simply implementing the correct gene into someone's DNA sequence. Many diseases are primarily the result of an individual's genetic composition . . . Using genetic interventions, the hope is to add to, delete from, or alter a person’s genetic constitution in order to cure or prevent disease or undesirable conditions (FitzGerald). Genetic engineering is also known as recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology . . . It uses restriction enzymes to cut pieces of DNA out of two organisms. Then it implements one of the fragments of DNA into the other organism’s . . . This is used to produce insulin for humans with diabetes (Tortora ch 9; 245, 247). Some people are afraid of what the effect of
In a recent study by Editas Medicine, they are working with CRISPR to prevent a blinding disorder called “leber congenital amarurosis” which is a rare inherited disease (Knapton, 2015). This disorder is due to a defect in a gene that encodes for a protein that is essential for vision, using CRISPR they are able to cut out the mutated areas. This is one example on how modifying DNA can be beneficial and why it should be accepted. Many inherited disorders like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs. With parents having genetic screen tests they can provide a better future for their children and prevent them from a life with a
THESIS: The effects of human gene editing are unpredictable. As a human race we are always continuing research to better our way of life, but our error comes when we cross the line of no return. We create something that we weren’t prepared to create.
Difference between a disease and an inherited genetic disorder: A genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individual’s DNA. Abnormalities can be as small as single-base mutation in just one gene, or they can involve the addition or subtraction of entire chromosomes. (http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/)
Position Paper: Gene Therapy in Humans. Advancements in science and medicine are usually accompanied by a myriad of ethical and moral implications. The fairly recent advancement in genetics, called gene therapy, is no exception to the baggage of polarizing views that come with new technology. Gene therapy is an extremely hot topic in both the scientific world and everyday life. New technology, discoveries, and breakthroughs are rapidly occurring in the field every day.