CRISPR is a new gene editing tool that is being used to edit the genes that were previously difficult to reach. "The power of the system [is] to perform targeted, highly efficient alterations of genome sequence and gene expression," said Jeffery Saunder and J Keith Joung.
The potential of CRISPR is unlimited. In the past three years, the system has been studied to possibly create a cure for HIV. The idea was to cut the DNA of HIV essentially killing the virus. Another idea that scientists had was to alter T cells, the main target of HIV, to enable them to fend off HIV attacks. However, a recent article in Scientific American has been published that reports failed attempts in HIV treatment with CRISPR has failed. "HIV can defeat efforts to cripple it with CRISPR," said Ewen Callaway. “The very act of editing may introduce mutations that help it to resist."
CRISPR has also been brought into the conversation of editing the human genome. With the introduction of in-vitro fertilization, the idea of designer babies, babies where the couples handpick expressed genes, has grown popular with the growing influence of feminism. Today, designer babies are embryos that are made of the sperm and egg of carefully picked donors. CRISPR gives the opportunity to go beyond that and to create the perfect baby for couples. Things such as eye color, hair color, skin color, nose shape, eye shape, height and even girth could possible be edited in the human genome to create a true designer baby.
In London, Kathy Niakan, a developmental biologist, received permission from the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to perform experiments that use CRISPR to edit the genes of human embryos. "Niakan's team is interested in early development," said Calloway for Nature. "It plans to alter genes that are active in the first few days after fertilization... [and] will stop the experiments after seven days."
CRISPR has prospered since it was created in 2010. Though it has many applications (gene editing, possible medical treatments, and finding gene loci) some of its applications raise moral questions. If CRISPR can be used to edit the genome of human embryos to create a person, when will the line be drawn? Is it okay for people to hand pick the traits their children will have? Is it better that way to eliminate any form of genetic diseases?
On a slightly darker note, CRISPR could be weaponized and used as a biological weapon. In his Statement for the Record, James R. Clapper, Director of National Itelligence, said, "given the broad distribution, low cost, and accelerated pace of development of this dual-use technology, its deliberate or unintentional misuse might lead to far-reaching economic and national security implications." He also classifies gene editing (like CRISPR) to be a weapon of mass destruction.
In light of these worries, will gene editing stop being studied? No, I don't think so. It has so many practical uses that scientists will continue to develop this technology, but there are dangers that come with it. Weaponized CRISPR, or any gene editing tool, could be used to create a whole new form of bio-terror attacks and the ability to create embryos with specific traits could change the way of reproduction forever. I think that CRISPR should continue to be developed, but I also think that it should be not as available to scientists as it is now. It should be monitored and the people using it should be closely watched as to ensure the safety of the public.
