Selective breeding of animals is the origin of this subject. Selective breeding has strengthened useful characteristics in animals and plants. It was a good thing we got better at it but we still didn’t understand the true workings. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was the code to life. It is a complex, multi-functional molecule that gives instructions on how to grow, mature, function, or reproduce. The molecule’s structure encodes data. Four nucleotides paired together form a code. If you change the instructions, the organism will have a different effect.
People began experimenting with DNA as soon as it was discovered. In the 1960s, scientists bombarded plants to create random mutations. It was thought that by sheer luck, a useful variation of a plant would appear. Sometimes, on rare occasions, it did work. In the 1970’s, DNA was inserted into plants, animals, bacteria and other organisms to study, observe and alter them. This was done for research, agriculture, sport, medicine and medical purposes. In 1974, mice became a standard research instrument, saving millions. In the 1980s the first microbe engineered for oil absorption was granted a patent. Organised life is used to produce many chemicals, including growth hormones, insulin, and life-saving factors like clotting. All of which we used to have to get from animal organs before. In 1994, the Flavr Savr tomatoes was the first food that had been modified in a lab. The tomato is given a longer shelf-life by adding a factor that prevents the accumulation of rotting enzymes. The controversy over GM foods and their effects on the environment deserves a separate essay. Human engineering was briefly discussed in the 1990s. In order to treat female infertility at the time, three human genes were used to create babies. This was the first time that humans had three genetically-related parents.
There are now super-muscled pigs and salmon that grow fast, as well as featherless chickens and transparent frogs. We made some things glow at night. The fluorescent zebrafish can be purchased for less than ten dollars. The fact that all of this was possible only a few years ago is impressive. Gene editing used to be extremely costly, complicated, time-consuming, and difficult. CRISPR is a new, revolutionary technology that has made this possible. Overnight, engineering costs have dropped by 99 percent. In a matter of weeks, instead of an entire year, you can conduct the experiments. Anyone who has a lab is able to do this. CRISPR has been a major technological breakthrough. It has the ability to literally change humankind forever.
What is CRISPR? How does it work? Since the dawn of time, bacteria and virus have been fighting each other. Bacteriophages or phages are bacteria-hunting viruses. Pages kill 40 percent of bacteria in the ocean every day. Phages kill bacteria by injecting their genetic code in them and taking control to turn them into factories. Despite their best efforts, the bacteria were unable to fight back because of their lackluster protection. Bacteria can only sometimes survive a try. If they succeed, they will activate their most powerful antivirus system. CRISPR is a DNA repository that stores a part of the viral DNA. It’s safely stored here until it is needed.
When the bacterium is attacked again by the virus, it quickly copies the RNA from its DNA archive, and then uses a secret protein, CAS9. The protein compares each piece of DNA found in the bacterium with a sample taken from the archive. Once it has found a match, the protein activates and removes the virus’ DNA. It renders it useless. Protecting the bacterium. CAS9 has a very high level of precision, similar to a genetic surgeon. Scientists began the revolution when they discovered that CRISPR was programmable. You can use it to put a specific arrangement of DNA into a live cell. CRISPR can edit live cells and switch genes off and on. It is also cheap and simple. Also, it works for any type of cell including microorganisms. CRISPR, despite being a revolution in science, is still only a first-generation instrument. The creation of more precise tools is already underway and being used now. Scientists in 2015 used CRISPR for cutting out HIV from cells that were still alive, proving the technology was real. A year after that, the scientists conducted a much larger project using rats who were infected with HIV. CRISPR injections into the rat tails allowed them to remove up to 50% of virus from the entire rat. CRISPR therapies could eliminate viruses such as Herpes and HIV in a few decades. CRISPR can also eradicate cancer, which is one the world’s most dangerous enemies. Cancer occurs when the cells do not stop reproducing or living, and they hide from the immunity system. CRISPR allows us to edit immune cells to make them better cancer fighters. Cancer could be cured with a few injections containing a few thousands of your cells, which have been reorganized in the laboratory. In the US, early 2016, the first CRISPR treatment for cancer was tested on human patients.
In August 2016, Chinese scientists announced they would begin treating lung cancer patients using immune cells modified by CRISPR. The pace of progress is accelerating. Genetic diseases are another concern. They range in severity from mildly irritating, to fatal or even causing decades of suffering. CRISPR could be the tool to stop these diseases. A single incorrect letter in DNA can cause over 3,000 genetic disorders. CAS9 is being edited to make it possible to change just one letter. In 10 or 20 years, we may be able to cure thousands diseases. All these medical treatments have one thing they all share, that is, their use is restricted to a single individual, and with them dies the application. Crisper is likely to be used more. The gene pool of humans will undergo gradual, yet irreversible changes as a result of the creation and sale designer babies. It is already possible to edit the human genome in an embryo. Although the engineering science has only just begun, it’s already been tested twice.
Scientists from China conducted experiments in 2015 and 2016. The experiment was partially successful on their second attempt. Scientists are still working to overcome the challenges of gene editing embryos. This will make you think, regardless of your own personal views on genetics. Modified humans may be able to change the genomes of all species. Their engineered traits can be passed down through the generations and affect the entire gene pool. At first, it will be slow. First designer babies won’t be too contrived. Most likely, they’ll be designed to eliminate a fatal genetic disease that runs in families. The technology is improving and people are debating whether it’s ethical to not use genetic modification because it causes children to suffer and die and denies them a cure.
A door cannot be shut as soon as a child is engineered. In the early stages, a lot of vanity traits are given without any accompanying information. The temptation to modify our genes will only increase as we become more aware of the genetic code and accept genetic modification. Why not give your children a faster metabolism if you can make them immune to Alzheimer? Why not perfect vision? Why not height? Is the hair full? What about giving your child the gift of exceptional intelligence? Millions of individual decisions can have a huge impact on the world. It’s a slippery slope. Modified people could become a new norm. We could learn more about aging as the technology improves and becomes more commonplace.
The age-related causes of death will affect two-thirds (150 000) of today’s deaths. At the moment, we believe that aging occurs due to the accumulation and wear-off of DNA breaks in our cells. There are other factors which directly affect aging. Combining genetic technology with other therapies could slow or reverse aging. Nature has shown us that some animals can resist aging. We could adopt some genes to make us younger. Scientists even believe that biological aging may cease to exist. We will all die eventually, but we can spend the last few thousand years of our lives with those who are dear to us. Scientists are still skeptical of the idea that aging can be stopped. Although the challenges seem daunting and the goal may be unattainable, it’s possible that people living today could benefit from the first anti-aging therapy. The only thing we need is to convince someone who is a billionaire and a genius to create it as their solution to the next problem. By modifying the population, we can solve many issues. Engineered human beings could be better equipped to deal with high-energy diets, eliminating diseases such as obesity. We might be able to resist most of the diseases we face today if we had a modified immune systems and a library with potential threats. We might even be able, in the future, to create humans who are equipped to travel to other planets and cope with their different environments. This could be extremely useful in preserving our existence in a hostile universe. We face a number of challenges, some are technological and some are ethical.
Many of those who read this fear the uncomfortable. They fear we’ll create an environment where we will eliminate less-than-perfect people and select qualities and features according to what we believe is good for them. It’s not a fantasy. We live in a universe like this. Pregnant women around the world are required to take tests for dozens hereditary disorders or complications. It is not uncommon for the mere suspicion that a genetic problem exists to be the trigger of an abortion. As an example, the Down syndrome is one common genetic defect. Around 92 per cent of all pregnancy terminations in Europe are due to Down syndrome. In Europe, 92 % of all pregnancies where it is detected are terminated. This will also not change, so there is no point in trying to influence it. Then we must move with respect and caution as technology improves and we can make more choices. This will not happen soon.
CRISPR, despite its power, is not yet infallible. Even though CRISPR is powerful, it’s not infallible. Gene edits can be used to disable a particular disease. However, they may also trigger unintended effects. It’s simply not possible to predict the results of gene editing because we don’t understand how our genes interact. It is important to work on monitoring and accuracy methods as the first tests with humans begin. There are also some darker futures, since we’ve discussed the possibility of a positive one. Imagine the potential of a totalitarian government embracing genetic engineering. Can a government use this to cement their rule on its people forever? What would prevent them from creating a super soldier army? Theoretically, it is possible. This scenario is a very long way in the future. The basic proof-of-concept for genetic engineering is already available today. It is true that the technology is so powerful. It may seem like a good reason to ban genetic research and editing, but it would be a big mistake. Banning human genetic technology will only lead to science drifting to stations with jurisdictions and regulations we don’t like. Participating in the discussion will ensure that any further investigation is guided only by caution, logic, oversight, transparency, and oversight.
We all have some sort of problem. What if we were to be born in the near future? It’s true that the engineering is a little frightening, but it helps us to move forward. Genetic engineering could be the next step for intelligent species. We might be able to end this disease. We could extend our life span by hundreds of years and go to the headlines. This issue is not a small one. No matter how you feel about genetic technology, it is inevitable that the future will come. In the past, genetic technology was a sci-fi idea that seemed insane. But now it is a reality with many challenges and opportunities. What is the future of our species according to you? How can we best use or regulate this powerful technology. You will have to answer these questions.
