There’s a lot that’s wrong with the world. Disease, poverty, famine… the list goes on. But as technology continues to advance and improve, scientists are working day and night to find good solutions.
In 2011, two scientists named Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier made a discovery that may be the answer to many of the world’s big problems. And that discovery was the technology of CRISPR gene editing.
CRISPR gene editing is a miracle. It’s a game-changer in the world of science and opens the door to endless possibilities.
But if you’re still not convinced, don’t worry. Here are five amazing ways that CRISPR technology can change lives.
What Is CRISPR?
Before we get into the list, let’s take a moment to look at what CRISPR really is and how it works.
CRISPR technology is used in genome editing. Scientists can use it to change and modify DNA and the function of genes. This can, in turn, help solve problems relating to disease treatments, agriculture, and more.
CRISPR, or CRISPR-Cas9 in long-form, stands for “Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats”. These repeats, or CRISPRs, are sections of DNA. The term “Cas9” refers to an enzyme that can cut strands of DNA like a pair of molecular scissors.
So how does CRISPR work?
Essentially, CRISPR gene editing is a way for scientists to make cuts in the DNA of any living organism and add, remove, or replace certain genes. This means that we can now attack diseases and viruses head-on as well as modifying plants and animals to be healthier and stronger.
And it’s not just professional scientists. CRISPR technology is accessible to anyone! You can order a CRISPR kit from a whole host of CRISPR companies to experience the magic for yourself.
CRISPR has tons of potential uses, all of which are life-changing and groundbreaking. Let’s look at a few.
1. Advancing Cancer Treatments
Scientists can use CRISPR to make immune cells much stronger and better at attacking cancer cells. CRISPR can also be used to help scientists observe how genes react to anti-cancer drugs to avoid harmful side effects for patients.
2. Improving Agriculture
Through the use of CRISPR, farmers could add desirable traits in animals or remove undesirable ones so that they could breed healthier livestock. They could also make crops more resistant to disease and environmental stress.
3. Good Environmental Impact
Scientists recently used CRISPR to edit genes in a certain type of yeast. This yeast was then able to convert sugars into hydrocarbons, which could then potentially replace petroleum.
This is incredible because it would reduce our need for petroleum and would then open the door to using biofuels rather than fossil fuels. That could massively reduce carbon emissions!
4. Improving Treatments for Genetic Diseases
CRISPR can tackle genetic diseases with a force we’ve never seen before. It could eliminate certain diseases from the world’s population entirely.
A recent case showed CRISPR being used to combat a genetic liver disease with incredible results. Dr. Kenneth Chien, a well-respected scientist, stated that this process may work for many other liver diseases as well.
5. Eliminating Malaria in Mosquitoes
Through CRISPR technology, scientists were able to edit the genes of mosquitoes so that they are resistant to malaria. These mosquitoes could then pass on the malaria-resistant genes to their offspring, eventually eliminating the danger entirely.
Learn More About CRISPR Gene Editing
Diseases and famine have plagued the world for centuries. But with CRISPR gene editing, that may change. The world is facing a brighter future with this incredible technology.
Read more articles to learn about other amazing scientific discoveries!
