Research Paper Sample on CRISPR Technology

CRISPR/Cas9 is a very powerful tool used by researchers and medical practitioners to edit and alter the DNA sequence as well as modify the behavior of the genes. Before the emergence of the CRISPR/Cas9, it was difficult for the biomedical researchers to develop a reliable and efficient way to make precise changes to the genome of a living cell. Apparently, it has so many applications such as treatment and prevention of diseases, correcting of defects genes, and also may be used to improve the quality of crops. Ostensibly, reports from scientists suggest that the new technology has been used to inhibit hepatitis C in the human cells. Designer babies, on the other hand, are babies whose genetic make-up has been carefully chosen to ensure a certain gene is present or to get rid of a specific gene. Although proponents suggest that the use of CRISPR technology in the making of designer babies has a good impact to both the parents and the children such as saving the lives of babies with genetic disorders, opponents on the other hand claim that it has done more harm than good and therefore should be eliminated from hospitals and research centers.

Pros of CRISPR/Cas9 technology

The use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has brought about a significant advantage to the lives of human beings more so to those suffering from genetic disorders. To begin with, the technology is used to modify the embryo of human and hence there is a high possibility of preventing devastating genetic diseases such as the cystic fibrosis. The main cause of the disease is the mutation of a single genetic factor. Apparently, CRISPR/Cas9 technology makes it possible to fix the genes causing the disease and hence making the progeny to be born in good physical shape. Also, reports from Chinese scientists indicated the use of the technology primarily to alter human nucleuses that were subjected to a lethal blood disease called beta thalassemia. Ostensibly, the infected embryo managed to survive thanks to genetic technology. Furthermore, the principles used in editing genes could be used in diseases that have a straightforward cause hence lowering the risk of developing or contracting the illness. Additionally, the knowledge used in the technology may also be used to understand the human biology through the ability to open and study the embryos.

The technology may be used to get rid of illness in young and unborn offspring. Many diseases can be detected in the womb before a child is born and the doctors may tell the disease the child may likely suffer from. Diseases such as downs syndrome and sickle celled anemia are normally associated with small children. The technology has made it possible to cure illness and diseases of the unborn children (Lundgren, 2016). Also, the technology has also assisted in reducing the level of transmissible degenerative diseases from the parents to the offspring. A good is an example when a parent suffers from Huntington's disease; there is a reduction by 50% in the probability of the disease being transmitted to the offspring. Furthermore, the technology makes it possible for the parents suffering from genetic diseases to give birth to healthy young ones as well as prolonging the lives of the progenies (Lundgren, 2016).

Human beings can live long lives thanks to genetic engineering and modern medical science. Apparently, diseases that are expected to take hold later in human lives instead end up attacking individuals earlier than it is anticipated. However, CRISPR/Cas9 technology provides reasons why the cellular levels in the body may decline hence providing a measure that needs to be kept in place to prolong and improve the quality of life. Additionally, it helps human beings adapt to the ever-changing environmental conditions. Notably, it takes a long duration for individuals to evolve and so genetic engineering fastens the process of evolution (Knoepfler, 2016).

Cons of CRISPR/Cas9 technology

On the contrary, the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in modifying human embryos may cause unintended effects on other parts of the embryo. The modifications may lead to complications in the genes some of which might be lethal. Genetic engineering of the babies in the wombs may lead to further complications such as still births and miscarriages. In addition, other scientists oppose on the use of the technology stating that it is unnecessary to correct congenital defects in the genes. Alternatively, instead of using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, health practitioners can use pre-implantation genetic screening or vitro fertilization to screen out many diseases (Bittker & Ross, 2016). Apparently the use of the technology gives rise to designer babies where the DNA`s have been cautiously selected to improve on the intelligence, appearances, and other different qualities that are not medically necessary. Also, the selection of the traits might be unevenly distributed in a population hence leading to a generation of haves and haves-not. Alternatively, the use of the technology opens up a door for the spectre of eugenics, which is a racist practice of trying to modify the race in humans through controlling reproduction and genetics. In essence, the use of technology to modify the genes may create a gap in societies that differentiates designer babies from those who are not

Despite the CRISPR/Cas9 technology assisting in curing and preventing different types of diseases, it is not acceptable to some communities and religions. Individuals perceive modifying genes in the womb as tantamount to insulting God and expressively prohibit it from being performed on their children. Besides arguments in religion, there are also ethical oppositions where, there is a strong belief that the disease exists for a reason such as in the control of a population (Loike & Tendler, 2014). Notably, genetics are not free from error and hence, there is likelihood that an error might pope out during the later stages of the designer child. Every gene contained in the body has a unique role and even though some are considered not useful, they could serve a purpose. For instance, a gene that controls the child`s intelligence might serve the same purpose of managing anger issues of the progeny. Hence, keeping the same gene means the child will be intelligent as well as containing anger problems. Besides, there is a claim that living longer leads to overpopulation, which in turn translates to social problems. Hence, furthering the human lifespan may lead to unpredicted social problems. Also, the use of the technology is expensive and it is not affordable by every person since an individual is required to travel and seek appointment from specific hospitals offering the services, which is an added expense (Loike & Tendler, 2014).

Another disadvantage is that going ahead to create a designer baby changes the mind and the life of the human being without taking into consideration the choice or the decision the person would have made. In the same case, the emotional, mental, and physical make-up of the baby will be changed without the baby having a say whether he or she would have wanted it or not. A parent may have the child`s interest at heart, but that does not mean the parent should proceed and change the genetic make-up of the progeny (Loike & Tendler, 2014). Ostensibly, the child will be used as a scientific experiment instead of being treated as a human being.

Due to the selective breeding in human beings, a movement by the name the eugenics sterilization arose and was primarily aimed at sterilizing individuals who were considered unfit to pass on their genes to the next generation through reproducing. The movement consisted of a set of practices and beliefs that were designed at improving the quality of genes of the population. Also, the movement advocated for a higher rate of sexual reproduction among the people who had positive eugenics and reduced reproduction for individuals with undesirable traits. Unfortunately, it was unfavorable to some people because it denied them their human right of reproducing by sterilizing them. Individuals unfit to reproduce included people with a low IQ, people with physical or mental disabilities and individuals from the minority groups. Some of the major criticism about the movement is that it was considered a violation of the human rights. Also, the campaign led to a loss of genetic biodiversity as a result of inbreeding owing to the low genetic variation.

To conclude, CRISPR/Cas9 technology is used by medical practitioners and researchers to alter the DNA sequence as well as modify the behavior of the genes. The knowledge used to modify the genes is used in different fields such as in treatment and prevention of diseases and correcting of defect genes. Some of the advantages brought about by the technology include; it has prevented devastating genetic diseases such as the Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis. Also, the technology has made it possible for parents with genetic disorders to give rise to healthy progenies who end up living for long. On the contrary, some of the disadvantages brought about by the technology include; it has given rise to a social gap between the rich who can afford the genetic engineering services and poor who cannot afford the services. Additionally, the technology may give rise to unforeseen complications such as stillbirths and miscarriages. Also, the designer baby might end up suffering from diseases that were not foreseen by the doctors. Ostensibly, genetic technology has raised a lot of eyebrows and controversy, and one may wonder whether it is safe to play with nature. Apparently, the disadvantage in genetic engineering outweighs the advantages, and therefore the practice should not be encouraged in hospitals and research institutions.

References

Bittker, J. A., & Ross, N. T. (Eds.). (2016). High throughput screening methods: evolution and refinement (Vol. 1). Royal Society of Chemistry.

Knoepfler, P. (2016). GMO Sapiens: the life-changing science of designer babies.

Loike, J. D., & Tendler, M. D. (2014). Tampering with the genetic code of life: comparing secular and halakhic ethical concerns. Hakirah, 18, 41-58.

Lundgren, M. (2016). Exploring the ecological function of CRISPR-Cas virus defense. Communicative & integrative biology, 9(5), e1216740.

Parrington, J. (2016). Redesigning life: How genome editing will transform the world. Oxford University Press.