CRISPR.

Genetic engineering is nothing new. This term describes the many techniques used to modify organisms genetically. In the past, these techniques included innovations like restriction enzymes, artificial insemination, invitro fertilization, and cloning. 

However, more recently genetic engineering techniques have tended to be more centered on gene editing specifically, as they are enabled by a technology known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR). Many in the scientific community have begun to look to CRISPR as being a potential solution to genetic predispositions and other conditions such as sickle cell disease, cancer, AIDS, Huntington’s disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, etc. This is made possible by a programmable guide RNA (gRNA) strand being directed to a target nucleotide sequence from the isolated target cells of an organism. This is followed by a Cas9 nuclease binding to this site and cutting both DNA strands, enabling the manipulation of the affected gene sequence. These manipulations include the knock-out, edit, interference, or activation of the specific genes. After the isolated cells have successfully been altered, they are reintroduced into the host organism’s body, giving rise to a mixed cell population. 

Although CRISPR technology seems very promising, its growing popularity has been met with backlash. One of the primary concerns involves off-target genomic editing. According to the UCLA Research Safety & Animal Welfare Administration, this is primarily caused by an incomplete or unsuccessful binding of the gRNA to the target site. However, the effects of such mistakes are still unknown.

Not only is there a scientific controversy surrounding the possible dangers of CRISPR technology, but there are also plenty of moral and ethical concerns in the mix as well. One of the primary ethical concerns regarding CRISPR is the possibility for it to be exploited for the purposes of eugenics. Although many of these concerns are still theoretical and predictive of the future of genetic engineering, one infamous CRISPR case received overwhelming retaliation. Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui announced the birth of two twins, Nana and Lulu, who underwent genetic modification through the use of CRISPR technology to prevent future HIV-related infections. Despite the good intentions and success of his experiment, He was met with extensive backlash from many scientific communities, including the German Ethics Council, Genetics Society of China/Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research, and the French National Consultative Ethics Committee, just to name a few. 

The National Library of Medicine continues to push for the continuation of extensive discourse among scientific communities, ethicists, industrialists, and policymakers, along with the necessary legislative framework and regulations for the successful implementation of CRISPR and future gene editing technologies without the worry of physical and ethical concerns.