Imposing a Moratorium on CRISPRs Technology | Teen Ink

Imposing a Moratorium on CRISPRs Technology

May 5, 2021
By norascs BRONZE, Alameda, California
norascs BRONZE, Alameda, California
3 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Introduction:

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, better known as CRISPR, can change DNA in the cells of various species of animals, including monkeys and mice. CRISPR can also change the genomes in human embryos as the genetic effect can cause heart problems. With CRISPR, the difference in its technology versus other genome editing technology is its precision. To further analyze its mechanism of accuracy, we can look at the CAS 9. The CAS 9 is a protein that defends against any viruses in the DNA and is often used in genome editing as it has a programmable sequence. Because of its flexibility of being able to program, researchers can program it to help recognize any DNA sequences or even break the DNA on site. As mentioned previously, the CRISPR technology is foundational to genome editing due to its versatility. It can not only recognize any broken-up DNAs, but it can help repair them, as researchers have shown through their experiments with human embryos. Additionally, it is programmable using RNA's bits, making it much more efficient and simplistic than the '90s when genome editing was much more limited by its low efficiencies.

Development of CRISPR's technology should be encouraged as I believe it is at its peak. Multitudes of biotechnology companies have picked up CRISPR technology. Venture capitalists also fund it, so that is one reason why I believe it is at its peak, which goes into the second reasoning. CRISPR technology is used to benefit others to the point where it may be considered life-changing. With its gene-editing technology, it can enhance humans to become taller, increase muscle mass, or other features that are not available now. Given its current time, CRISPR is still heavily in development as human genetics is intensive and can be challenging to understand due to its complexities. However, that is why it needs to be encouraged. Some can argue ethicality; however, what about using the CRISPR technology to correct the mutations that cause things like Huntington's Disease, which affects over 30,000 people worldwide and often requires extensive care? That is why we need to encourage CRISPR technology advancements as there is much work to be done, but the end goal will be worth it.

I am not against imposing a moratorium on CRISPRs technology as I understand not everyone will use it to help benefit others. Instead, some could edit livestock animals' genes like pigs, chickens, cows, etc., to make them bigger to help rake in more profit. Though I believe it is quite unethical to do so, I can argue that animals get tested all the time, and people are already finding ways to make their livestock bigger, with or without genome editing. For example, some farmers overfeed their cattle, overbreed, pump steroid hormones, etc. Does it make genome editing okay? No, but still, it's just another method used to make livestock bigger, except it can cause serious side effects like rabbits having bigger tongues or side effects that can lead to the effect of killing them. Though the side effects are quite extreme,  I would still rather there not be strictly enforced laws on CRISPR technology. It is still heavily tested today so side effects will happen because it's in its early stages as researchers continue to find ways to help cure/prevent others from inherited diseases. 


The author's comments:

I am a Chemical-Neuroscience Researcher as well as a developer in all things web development! I have conducted various research in different academic fields including Chemistry, Biology, and Cognitive Science, and thought that I'd share a piece of that which in this case is the latest CRISPR technology!


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