CRISPR Gene Editing: CRISPR-Cas9, adapted from a bacterial immune mechanism, emerged in 2012 as a precise, affordable, and programmable tool for editing DNA. Unlike earlier gene-editing methods, CRISPR uses a guide RNA to target specific sequences, allowing scientists to cut, insert, or correct genes with unprecedented ease. It holds promise for curing genetic disorders like sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and certain blindnesses—some already in clinical trials. Beyond therapy, CRISPR aids disease modeling, drug discovery, and agricultural innovation. However, ethical concerns exploded after the 2018 announcement of CRISPR-edited babies, highlighting risks of off-target effects and germline modification. International consensus now restricts heritable edits. Still, CRISPR represents a quantum leap in biomedicine, turning genetic correction from theory into tangible reality and opening paths to eliminate inherited diseases at their source.
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