The Ethical Use Of Cas9 (CRISPR)

Scientists examining the immune system of bacteria discovered a molecule that presented a cure to all genetic diseases. This molecule, called CRISPR/Cas9 (referred to as CRISPR), is essentially a highly precise “pair of molecular scissors” that “snip” at any point “in the cell’s DNA”, guided by a small, highly “customized guide molecule” made of RNA (Lanphier).By including “a new piece of DNA” with the injected CRISPR, genes can be corrected or even added to the existing genome. CRISPR can also repair molecular defects with expression mechanisms, and is capable of changing the way of how a gene is expressed (Lanphier). It is clear that CRISPR is a powerful scientific tool that has the potential to change the use and outlook of genetic engineering

The use of CRISPR could prevent the spread of diseases and other genetic defects and predispositions to the next generation. For example, the mutated gene responsible for breast cancer, BRCA1, is most often passed down maternally. If a person inherits two copies of the mutated BRCA1 gene, then he or she has a very high chance of developing breast cancer (Regalado). If the BRCA1 gene is corrected, and the mutation is fixed using CRISPR, breast cancer could essentially be avoided. Although it will not be completely eradicated, the occurrence of breast cancer would be lessened by about 90% (Regalado). The use of CRISPR could prevent the reoccurrence of genetic disease in the future, effectively curing a large percent of untreatable diseases and lead to a disease-free future for future

The lack of a line to determine which genes can be edited is the first issue; the use of CRISPR to edit genes can either lead to a cure for all genetic diseases, predispositions, and defects, or to the creation of programmed or enhanced individuals. The fiscal, mechanical, and precautionary potential of embryonic CRISPR editing is the second issue. CRISPR is viable fiscally and mechanically, yet precautionarily unviable. Although it is inexpensive, accessible, and precise, it is inefficient, resulting in extreme untoward effects, like genetic mosaicism and off-target events. The possible effect of excessive CRISPR use on future generations is the third issue, which could result in either the eradication of genetic disease from the gene pool, or the loss of evolutionary fitness and genetic diversity. It is unknown whether CRISPR will be incorporated into future editing of embryos. Only time can tell whether CRISPR will become a common household name or a name lost in scientific