Abstract
CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) has emerged as an exciting tool for biological research over centuries. It is used in cell alteration and has gained an advantage over the previously used techniques. Due to its high speed and ease of use, it has been endorsed in agriculture and human health, among other fields. CRISPR also creates an opening to take advantage of cellular pathways to gene editing. Its application in the health sector is multifaceted as it is used as a diagnostic tool and a solution to health disorders either by preventing or treating. Microsoft and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard researchers have come up with a machine learning-based system that gives approximates of the specific targeted gene for quick and efficient use of CRISPR. In this Spotlight, the CRISPR genome editing and DNA modification system application is discussed, its potential positives and limitations, and the ethical considerations in the procedures used.
The world today has been transformed by new technologies that have become fundamental in human lives. Technology is implemented because there is a promising one that has emerged or if there is a performance gap that leads to the need for a change in an existing process. The primary aim for executing a new strategy is its projected effectiveness and contribution towards the adoption firm. Studies focusing on how technological advancement relates to the human mind and capability show that these improvements increase curiosity and trigger competence in the human invention. Even though most individuals do not have ideas of where technologies emerge from and reasons for their unique design, it is vital to note that they are associated with human values and prevailing circumstances in society. People have come up with resources and materials needed for future and long-term developments; Information Technology (IT) and biotechnology have been the two most affected fields.
IT experts assist in the invention of technology for the scientific community with different goals. The ideas and understanding of these specialists are linked with their imaginations of a future structure (Zhang, 2019). Biotechnology, a multifaceted discipline that uses biological setups and parts of living organisms to generate diverse products, has reached uncertainty rates due to constant developments and innovations (Mills, 2019). It has a primary goal of creating new capabilities for the advanced manufacturing of biological structures to help research new perspectives towards complex mechanisms. Biotech is an interdisciplinary pursuit whose most techniques arise from integrating parts of different disciplines such as computer science, mathematics, biology, and physical sciences enabling the prediction and control of biological systems. A broad consideration of genetics draws a more extensive understanding of their manipulation and editing of genes, a major biotechnology facet.
Gene Splicing and Manipulating Human DNA
Gene splicing and manipulation of DNA have over the past been considered as been both exciting and causing anxiety and unease. The first genome editing created a transgenic animal, a rat created by inserting genes that were resistant to antibiotics into Escherichia coli (Straiton, 2019). Since then, all biology areas have applied science for different purposes. A number of people in the population were willing to adopt the technology claiming that it would be useful in disease passing prevention. However, others were against its use, stating different reasons; its safety has been a major concern. For instance, some said there were possible cases of editing wrong places, and a challenge would be posed where several cells carried the edit, whereas others did not.
Following the concerns of the public on the implications of genetic engineering, the global research lab decided to make the considerations as well and, as a result, adopted an innovative model. The new technology aimed to eliminate the drawbacks of the earlier model and initiated procedural mechanisms that lead to advanced gene-editing technology (Straiton, 2019). The new model was named Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR), widely practiced today. Researchers argue that it has already been used to generate crops which have been passed for commercial use (Ledford, 2015). Similarly, clinical trials on human beings have been conducted, and it has been as well cleared to treat somatic cell diseases.
In-Depth Analysis of The CRISPR Model
The introduction of CRISPR technology has seen some positive changes, according to scholars. Arguably the major benefit is its proficiency and simplicity. Clinical operations have become effective and are conducted with ease since genome modification has proved to be more practicable. With time its acceptability to the public has intensified as it addresses the drawbacks of the previous gene-editing technique (Rath et al.,2015). The program can be directly used in embryos, and as such, compared to the embryonic stem cells, it lessens the time needed for target gene modification (Pak, 2014). It is favorable for disease therapy as it eliminates genes and replaces them with others. On the contrary, it places a challenge in recognizing undesired genome at the targeted cell since, when been performed on embryos, it is not possible to code a specific desired event.
Just like the human immune system works to protect the body’s health, CRISPR protects the bacterium from viral infection by destroying the genome by hindering its replication. Moreover, CRISPR is currently not considered solely as a tool for gene editing but also applicable in various fields as gene regulation, imaging, and epigenetic editing (Adli, 2018). Originally, the technology was invented to aid in biological research, but it has been diversified to agriculture, medical research, and biotechnology with time. Its use in farming has seen an improvement of food for consumption and production of animal breeds that are less likely to contract diseases (Ledford, 2015). Overall, this new technology can alter the genomes of not only human beings and animals but also crops.
CRISPR technology works by a delivery setup to protect bacteria from a repeated virus attack through three significant steps. The first phase is referred to as adaptation, where a protospacer is incorporated into the CRISPR producing a spacer (Pak, 2014). Spacers recognize new viruses by identifying matching genomes. Expression is the second stage, where CRISPR RNA is produced (Abudayyeh et al., 2017). The system prepares for action by transcribing CRISPR into CRISPR RNA (pre-crRNA), which is afterward transformed into mature crRNA. The last phase is target interference, where CRISPR RNAs detect and guide molecular machinery to achieve the degradation of the viral genome.
Computer science has triggered creativity in scientists, as demonstrated in their significant improvement in gene editing and manipulation. Tools to design CRISPR-Cas9 have similarly emerged rapidly based on the popularity of the gene manipulation technology. This revolution has altered how almost every aspect is everyday life is conducted (Zhang, 2019). More studies have suggested that CRISPR-based immunity is not only crucial in the destruction of invading viruses. Diverse sectors have advanced to enact its application, such as in the field of medicine, general research, and manufacturing industries.
Application of CRISPR
Industrial Application
Industries that use bacteria in their processes are more likely to apply CRISPR techniques in their daily functioning. Industrial biotechnology depends on the introduction of genes to assist in biosynthesis (Donohoue, 2018). CRISPR has proved to be an effective tool in this sector due to its success in presenting double-strand breaks that increase recombination rates. This is well illustrated through a study conducted about Streptococcus thermophilus, a fermenting bacterium in yogurts (Pak, 2014). The results showed that this bacterium could be infected by a specific virus, consequently destroying the yogurt. However, the researchers discovered that sequences from CRISPR provided S. thermophilus with immunity against the attack. Similarly, ideology can be applied in relation to other useful bacterial to ensure the sustainability of manufactured products.
Application in the Laboratory
An alteration of gene sequence significantly impacts its health, and CRISPR is used in the lab by scientists to modify the genetic factors of organisms such as plants or human cells to suit their intended objectives. As Pak (2014) states each gene has a specific sequence that defines it and gives directives on how an organism’s cell will be maintained. Instead of depending on the bacterium to produce CRISPR RNAs, researchers prefer first to design short Ribonucleic Acids molecules (guide RNA) identical to a certain DNA sequence, which transfers molecular machinery to the targeted DNA (Pak, 2014). Upon confinement into the area of interest, the gene can either be inactivated or its sequence changed. This technology is essential to the field as it enables the creation of animal replicas with particular genetic variations to help study the progress and handling of diseases.
Application in Medical Field
The primary application of CRISPR technology in the medical field is the treatment of diseases related to genetic traits. According to Pak (2014), an earlier experiment was conducted where a mutant gene in an adult mouse was replaced with the right sequence, and results established treatment of liver disease. As illustrated, the model is used to correct genes that are responsible for mutation and interrupt symptoms associated with transmissible illnesses. Additionally, the CRISPR model can be used to prevent infectious ailments, as it facilitates the recognition of the responsible gene at an early stage (Strich & Chertow, 2019). In such a case, timely and accurate control mechanisms are enacted to mitigate the rates of infection spread and improve health care. Similarly, antibiotics which distinguish the disease-causing pathogens from bacteria with benefits can possibly be invented through CRISPR.
Ethical Considerations Regarding CRISPR
Despite CRISPR gaining popularity and its procedures being utilized in different sectors globally, there are different opinions and concerns about introducing the technology. Scholars agree that public debates and discussions should be allowed for the public to decide if CRISPR should be approved (Rodriguez, 2016). Several people support the ideology claiming that it has simplified processes, especially in clinical care. However, some think that the technology might not be ideal, with the main worry being its safety. There are possibilities of editing the wrong genes that may alter the whole process and introduce unwanted traits. For this reason, individuals criticized the application of the CRISPR model in human manipulation and gene editing (Rodriguez, 2016). Ethicists, thus, advised against its use in reproductive purposes until justified through further research. Another issue is informed consent, especially among minors. As stated in the study, gene therapy is carried out with the aim of health improvement. Arguments point out a possible modification of the genome in relation to crime or violence. In the case of minors, it raises questions that the parents decide on their behalf without an accord.
With the new inventions, CRISPR technology could be used to create genetically modified men and super soldiers. Presently the use of this technology in human beings is restricted to therapies and correcting genetic mutations (Straiton, 2019). Noticeably, when performing these activities, people are gaining abilities to create replicas, who are genetically modified humans with traits above those of the DNA at birth. Such capabilities can see the rise of a new population with disorders or super soldiers. According to Straiton (2019), if a government decides to generate supermen to be used in war, it would become a global disaster since every other country would compete to come up with such. Subsequently, a global regulation policy would be needed to control the use of technology in inventing supermen.
Fast Implementation of CRISPR In Gene Editing
Scientific techniques as CRISPR have contributed to gene editing’s popularity, which traditionally was seen as unachievable and ludicrous. It is essential for people to understand that the continuous revolution in science has introduced computing approaches that, in conjunction with CRISPR, have made gene editing effective and less erroneous (Zhang, 2019). Researchers from Microsoft and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard established a system that uses machine learning to enable them to quickly and efficiently use CRISPR (Linn, 2016). The approach estimates the specific part of a gene to be targeted if there is a need to suppress or shut it off. It is not a trial and error method but works based on certainty. Further, the learning model evaluates the pros and cons of the former methods, and with the help of predictive analysis, it makes it for researchers to quickly identify when gene editing causes unintentional results.
Several Biotech start-ups inspired by the CRISPR technology are on the verge of emerging hoping to apply the expertise to control infections, diagnose illnesses, and eventually treat diseases in human beings. According to Zhang (2019), even though CRISPR’s future cannot be precisely described, it is evident that it has become a topic of interest to researchers, and much about the technology remains undiscovered. With the continuous revolution of scientific tools and methods, scientists will be challenged more to transform their approaches as well.
Conclusion
Currently, the world has experienced a great revolution in technology, especially Information Technology and Biotechnology. In this upheaval, CRISPR, an acronym for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, has been introduced. This form of technology is used in gene editing and human modification and has evolved over the years. Advanced research in CRISPR may convert not only human health but also the agriculture sector. Scholars in this division desire to manipulate crops and turn them into breeds that grow fast and are resistant to drought. Similarly, researchers have improved the CRISPR to facilitate DNA modification without breaking the strands signifying a new method of correcting mutations by identifying the precise gene targeted.
An analysis of the model shows that it consists of three steps of shielding the bacterium against viral attacks, namely adaptation, CRISPR RNA production, and targeting. The approach is basically common in medical uses but is also applicable in other sectors like lab and manufacturing industries. Nonetheless, there are ethical considerations safety has been a major concern of the public. Majority of scientists claim that further studies should be done to determine if the technology is applicable in clinical reproduction for accuracy to be achieved. Alterations made in one part of the genome should not reflect changes in a different unintended cell, mostly if it is practiced in human health. Additionally, when CRISPR is used predominantly without consensus, like in editing embryos genome, its ethical fitness questions arise. Since technology is rapidly revolutionizing in various fields, CRISPR seems to remain an area of interest to scientists.
References
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