As CRISPR gene scissor technology revolutionizes the life sciences, the positive impact it could have on human life must be weighed against the ethical controversy.
We’ve all played with origami, cutting out shapes with scissors and gluing them where we want them, and we’ve all cut out parts we don’t like and filled them in with something else to make them more satisfying. What if you could cut and glue genes that express traits in living organisms instead of paper? This amazing thing is happening today. DNA molecules capable of expressing a desired trait can be cut with enzymes in vitro and combined with a plasmid that can self-replicate to create a gene that maximizes its benefits. However, because these genetic recombination techniques deliberately introduce specific genes to modify traits, they can have side effects such as mixing existing DNA with viral DNA, which can lead to mutations. To reduce these side effects, a technology has been developed that does not inject specific genes, but rather cuts out existing undesirable genes with ‘gene scissors’ to change the internal genes to achieve the desired function without introducing foreign genes. DNA is composed of four bases (A, G, T, and C), and each cell has billions of bases, making it difficult to decipher all of them. However, by using genetic scissors, the information contained in DNA can be deciphered, which is expected to serve as a key to unlocking the secrets of genes. In addition, by cutting out genes that are vulnerable to pests in advance when culturing cells, it is possible to obtain organisms that do not get sick and solve the problem of food shortage, and it is also expected to be a new treatment for genetic diseases that cannot be solved by drug treatment and surgery. Attempts are being made to edit genes in animals, plants, and even humans using genetic scissors, which has led to ethical controversy. In particular, editing the genes of reproductive cells raises the issue that, unlike somatic cells, the gained traits can be passed on to future generations, resulting in “customized babies.” However, there are many advantages to using gene scissors, and we believe that we should not oppose this breakthrough technology on ethical grounds.
Before we get into the specifics, let’s talk about CRISPR. As a third-generation gene scissors, CRISPR is derived from a system that cuts the DNA of an invading virus and stores it in its own body, so that when a virus with the same genetic information invades again, it can recognize the invading DNA based on the stored information and trigger an immune response. CRISPR genetic scissors are composed of an enzyme protein called Cas9 and guide RNA, with the enzyme protein acting as the scissors that cut the gene and the guide RNA helping to guide the scissors to the desired gene. While conventional genetic scissors require the creation of a new enzyme protein for each gene that needs to be cut, Crisper genetic scissors only need to change the guide RNA, making them easier to make and more sophisticated. The sophistication and accuracy of CRISPR scissors to attack only the target gene minimizes the side effects of conventional gene scissors and gene recombination technologies, and can be applied to various fields such as restoration of extinct animals, new genetically engineered plants, and gene therapy. Therefore, CRISPR technology has many advantages and has the potential to positively impact human life, and controversy over ethical issues should not hinder its development and application.
The greatest strength of CRISPR technology is its potential to cure genetic diseases and terminal illnesses that cannot be cured by medication and surgery. Humans have 46 chromosomes, which are made up of tons of DNA, and DNA is made up of tons of bases. There are four bases (A, G, T, and C), and it is the sequential combinations of these bases that carry our genetic information. Since DNA is made up of billions of base pairs, it is very difficult and almost impossible to decipher all the genetic information. However, with the use of genetic scissors, we have a better chance of unlocking the secrets of genes. By cutting out the gene whose function you want to know, the trait or function expressed by the gene is lost, which can then be analyzed to decipher the gene. This makes it an important technology for incurable or genetic diseases that cannot be treated with drugs and surgery. If the disease is improved by the cut gene, it can be used for gene therapy. For example, CRISPR is very important for children born with genetic diseases or birth defects. While a high percentage of children die from genetic diseases and birth defects, and there are few cures, CRISPR can be used to remove genes that may cause a disease before a child is born, or to remove genes that are suspected of causing a disease later in life. Thus, you can manipulate your child’s genes to eliminate diseases and conditions, and give them the best traits to fulfill their dreams in the future. CRISPR is also raising the possibility of curing AIDS, an incurable disease. The AIDS virus enters the body by binding to receptors on the surface of cells, and by using genetic scissors to remove the genes that make the receptors, the virus can be prevented from entering the body. Clinical trials are already underway in AIDS patients, and if successful, it could revolutionize medicine.
In the 1960s, Panama disease, caused by a fungus, wiped out existing varieties of bananas, which could have been prevented if genetic scissors had been available. Without genetic diversity, clone-like bananas are vulnerable because they are not resistant to the pests to which they are susceptible. However, by using genetic scissors to cut out susceptible genes or make internal changes, resistant varieties can be created in a short time. Since genes are directly involved in the phenomenon of life, being able to decipher them a little bit more will help improve the health of living things, and it will help solve the problem of food shortage by making endangered plants resistant.
Opponents of CRISPR technology are most likely concerned that manipulating genes by removing or altering them will reduce genetic diversity, resulting in homogenized genes that are less adaptable to rapid change. However, I think this overlooks the subjectivity, values, and preferences of each person. Parents will choose their own preferences when manipulating their children’s genes with CRISPR, as each person has different importance to situations, different criteria for ideal types, and different careers they want for their children. In addition, each generation will have different desired traits, and new genetic manipulations will be added in the next generation as the genes manipulated in the current generation are passed on to the next generation. Therefore, the number of cases of genetic design will be very diverse, and genetic diversity will be maintained. In addition, the genes will be homogenized, but they will contain superior genes that are enhanced, making them more adaptable to their environment.
However, just as LASIK surgery was very expensive in its early days, but the cost has come down significantly as science and technology have improved, CRISPR technology will likely be expensive initially, but the price will come down as the technology becomes more and more commercialized. This will make it more accessible to everyone, rather than just the wealthy. The final reason I think CRISPR could be dangerous is that gene editing technology is imperfect. Even though CRISPR is very sophisticated and can only cut targeted genes, it can still have exceptional side effects. However, many scientists are still working to improve CRISPR technology. They’re working on ways to cut precise DNA without making mistakes, and if the technology improves further, it could become the perfect genetic scissors.
There is some ethical controversy surrounding CRISPR technology. Some people are opposed to CRISPR technology because it is too intrusive. However, I believe that CRISPR will make our lives healthier and richer. It will bring new hope to many terminally ill patients and help humanity live longer, healthier lives.
