An achievement that was deemed impossible has successfully become accomplished. For the first time in history, DNA can be edited. One of the goals is to be able to get rid of genetic diseases. This whole concept in genomic science has opened up a whole new revolutionary way of dealing with such critical health issues. There is a possibility that illnesses that were once incurable have a chance to be curable.
DNA editing: What does it mean and what is it all about?
MedlinePlus provides a definition and states that a collection of tools known as genome editing, or gene editing, allows researchers to alter an organism’s DNA. These technologies enable the addition, deletion, or modification of genetic material at specific genomic regions. A person’s DNA can be altered through gene editing to fix mistakes that lead to illnesses.
CRISPR-Cas9, short for CRISPR-associated protein 9 and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, is a well-known example as one of the approaches used and developed by scientists to edit DNA. The scientific community is very excited about the CRISPR-Cas9 system since it is more accurate, efficient, quicker, and less expensive than existing genome editing techniques.
That which scientists thought would never come to be is officially an approach they can now utilise to heal people. The process of DNA editing is complicated. Using molecular tools, scientists can find the DNA that needs accurate cutting in order to perform the transformation. When these processes are complete, the human body’s natural DNA strand is repaired, consequently, the genetic code is altered.
This immune defence mechanism has been modified by researchers to modify DNA. Similar to the RNA segments bacteria generate from the CRISPR array, they produce a tiny bit of RNA with a brief “guide” sequence that binds (attaches) to a particular target region in a cell’s DNA. On the other hand, however, DNA editing sounds quite illegal in the sense that it could cause many people to be deceived by scientists and doctors, despite its goal being to eliminate diseases.
How genetic diseases could be curable through DNA editing
MedlinePlus elaborated in a report that human disease prevention and therapy are two areas of high interest for genome editing. To better understand diseases, research institutes are currently using genome editing in animal models and cells. The safety and efficacy of this method for human use are still being investigated by scientists. Numerous diseases, including single-gene conditions like sickle cell disease, haemophilia, and cystic fibrosis, are being investigated.
Additionally, it has the potential to treat and prevent more complicated illnesses like HIV infection, cancer, heart disease, and mental disorders. Most diseases and health complications are genetic and scientists are creating something that can just erase such complications in humanity. Jumping genes, often referred to as transposable elements, are crucial for adaptability and evolution since they can travel to different regions of a cell’s genomes.
By correcting the gene at a molecular level, patients can live a life of freedom where they do not have to worry about their health issues, especially chronic diseases. There is a possibility that people are able to live a life exempted from life-threatening diseases. In order to promote healthy blood production, DNA editing may be able to identify and fix the particular gene causing the anomaly.
There are, however, issues and concerns that have been raised regarding this technological development. When human genomes are edited using technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, ethical questions are raised. In the United States and many other nations, germline cell and embryo genome editing is currently prohibited due to ethical and safety concerns. The objective is to draw distinct lines between potential abuse in eugenics and genetic modification.