CRISPR

Written By Itz.Tiffany .

Definition: CRISPR is an acronym for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, coined by Franciso Mojica between 2000 and 2005. This technology is used to modify DNA. “CRISPR was adapted for use in labs from naturally occurring genome editing system found in bacteria” (NHGRI)

CRISPR is a curical technological advancement developing since the early 2000s, but the first medical CRISPR was recently approved.

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But there is a problem

Let’s talk ethics. In the world of healthcare, when a medical professional is using technology or new medications, there will always be ethical concerns and considerations when it is open to the public. So, what are the ethical concerns of CRISPR? Gene Editing has raised the concern of unintended consequences on reproductive cells. Additionally, there is also the concern of inequality in access to these treatments. Due to CRISPR still being a new development, it will be an expensive process for everyday civilians. This could widen the social economic gap between the people who can afford it and the people who can’t, which could be the difference between life and death.

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What is going on now?

CRISPR isn’t open to the public and is still going through trial phases, although this technology has been practiced on humans and has provided success. Based on a CRISPR paper from Missouri Medicine, CRISPR is being developed to aid in the treatment of genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and cancers, to name a few.

Infectious diseases: CRISPR has successfully targeted the human genes E7 and E9 to aid in the treatment of HPV cancers.

Cancer: CRISPR is actively being used in certain clinical trials, some of which are focusing on the mutation that is spreading the tumor to other areas, using this technology to remove and edit the mutation gene.

Genetic disorders: CRISPR is also aiding in gene editing to treat sickle cell disease. This is currently in the clinical trial phase.

Davis, D. J., & Reddy Yeddula, S. G. (2024). CRISPR Advancements for Human Health. Missouri Medicine, 121(2), 170. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11057861/

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Did you know?

Twins were born with modified genes, making them immune to HIV due to CRISPR in 2018.

In China, twin girls were born with modified genes because the male in the couple was an HIV carrier. He Jiankui used CRISPR to attempt to correct the CCR5 gene.

source: Raposo, V. L. (2019). The First Chinese Edited Babies: A Leap of Faith in Science. JBRA Assisted Reproduction, 23(3), 197. https://doi.org/10.5935/1518-0557.20190042

Itz.Tiffany .