Heard of the term CRISPR before?
It’s a good idea to know of a genuine breakthrough in science which could transform your future.
CRISPR is a gene editing tool - the most sophisticated ever which can alter DNA, customise genes, modify babies, solve the problem of world hunger, provide sustainable clean energy, powerful enough to eliminate humanity’s most dreadful diseases, simple enough to be used by immature biologists.
And these experiments can quickly spin out of control.
Call it dangerous or momentous but gene editing has just been approved for human trials to treat some of the deadliest cancers in the United States. So what does the single biggest leap in genetics mean for the rest of the world? Are we to get ready to face gene swapping dragons, unicorns and tinkerers?
A Crisp Intro To CRISPR - Technology That Can Shake Up Science
Our genes shape who we are, as individuals and as a species. Genes have a major role to play on our risks of getting diseases. To understand how genes work scientists need ways to control them. Tweaking genes in a living person is really tough but with the invention of CRISPR in 2012, even a minute error in the DNA can be precisely manipulated.
A committee of experts have given a go ahead to try this fascinating gene editing tool on 18 people suffering from:
1. Myeloma: One of the rarest forms of cancer of the bone marrow. Remember, Lisa Ray suffered from this one?
2. Melanoma: Most common type of skin cancer.
3. Sarcoma: Also a very rare soft tissue form of cancer.
CRISPR is credited with numerous firsts - it will not cure all cancers immediately but eventually it has the ability to provide solutions to debilitating diseases like Alzheimer’s, , sickle cell anemia, cystic fibroids to name a few.
Will that be the end of human race?
Should We Be Allowed To Customise Our Children Before They Are Born?
When gene editing is concerned, ethical issues are bound to rise. Former Union Health Minister, Dr Harshavardhan sounded caution on gene editing at a science meet in Kolkata.
Recently, some scientists in China carried out DNA editing on a human foetus. This is considered very dangerous and unethical.Dr Harsh Vardhan, Ex-Union Health Minister
Also because Indians are already obsessed with perfect designer babies. IVF specialists repeatedly get requests from couples seeking the perfect donor, the right mix of intellect, looks and athleticism.
Couples are not just happy to get any baby, they want to make the best baby. They go to any lengths to get the perfect eye colour, hair shade, complexion, smile, IQ and what not in a donor!Dr Anoop Gupta, IVF Specialist
But gene editing is a giant leap from IVF. When it becomes commercially available, only the super rich will be able to afford it. It is perilous to think that a particular section of society will be able to make super humans who will be smarter, better looking, more athletic and what happens when the gap between the ordinary humans and these genetically modified species grows?
If you think the rich brats are precocious on Instagram, just wait till they become 7- feet tall, handsome, brainy, perfect little specimens in all walks of life.
Another big concern of gene editing is that the modifications done by CRISPR can be passed on to many generations and are heritable. So getting rid of cancer is the work of dreams, but tinkering with the genetic makeup of an entire race? Not so cool.
Also Read: From Janampatri To Genomepatri, Is Unlocking Your Genome Worth It?
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