In this blog post, we will look at how gene scissors technology, especially CRISPR, can affect our future, from treating diseases to solving food problems.
Everyone has probably cut out a shape with scissors and glued it to a desired place while doing origami. You may also have cut out a part you didn’t like with scissors and filled it with something else to increase your satisfaction. What if you could cut out and glue genes that express the genetic traits of living organisms with scissors instead of paper? This amazing thing is actually happening right now. DNA molecules that can express the desired traits can be cut out using enzymes in a test tube and combined with a plasmid that can self-replicate to create genes that maximize the advantages. However, this gene recombination technology can cause side effects in which existing DNA and viral DNA mix, as it intentionally injects specific genes to modify traits, and there is a possibility of mutations occurring as a result. To reduce these side effects, a technology has been developed that does not inject specific genes, but instead cuts out the bad genes that are already present and changes the internal genes without inserting external genes to achieve the desired function. DNA is composed of four bases (A, G, T, and C), and each cell has billions of bases, making it difficult to decode all of the DNA. However, there is an expectation that gene scissors can be used to decode the information contained in DNA, serving as a key to unlocking the secrets of genes. In addition, it is possible to solve the problem of food shortages by obtaining organisms that are not susceptible to disease by cutting out genes that are susceptible to disease when culturing cells, and it is also expected to be a new treatment for genetic diseases that cannot be solved with drug therapy and surgery. Attempts are being made to edit not only the genes of animals, plants, but also humans using gene scissors, which is causing ethical controversy. In particular, editing the genes of germ cells has the problem that the acquired traits can be passed on to future generations, unlike somatic cells, which could lead to the birth of “customized babies.” However, I believe that we should not oppose this groundbreaking science and technology for ethical reasons because there are many advantages to gene scissors.
Before getting into the specific discussion, let’s take a look at CRISPR. CRISPR, a third-generation gene scissors, is derived from a system that cuts the DNA of an invading virus, stores it in its body, and then recognizes the invading DNA based on the stored information when a virus with the same genetic information invades again, triggering an immune response. The CRISPR gene scissors consist of an enzyme protein called “Cas9” and a guide RNA. The enzyme protein acts as a pair of scissors that cuts the gene, while the guide RNA helps find the desired gene. Conventional gene scissors required the creation of a new enzyme protein that acts as a scissor for each gene that needed to be cut, but CRISPR gene scissors have the advantage of being easier and more precise to create because they only require the replacement of guide RNA. CRISPR gene scissors have the precision and accuracy to attack only the target gene, minimizing the side effects caused by existing gene scissors and genetic recombination technologies. They can be applied to various fields, including the restoration of extinct animals, new genetically modified plants, and gene therapy. Therefore, CRISPR technology has many advantages and is likely to have a positive impact on human life, so controversies over ethical issues should not hinder the development and application of the technology.
The greatest strength of CRISPR technology is that it can increase the possibility of treating genetic diseases and incurable diseases that cannot be cured by drug therapy or surgery. Humans have 46 chromosomes, and chromosomes are made up of numerous DNA strands, which are made up of numerous bases. Bases are made up of four types (A, G, T, and C), and these bases are combined in a continuous sequence to carry various genetic information. DNA is composed of billions of base pairs, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to decipher all genetic information. However, using gene scissors increases the possibility of unlocking the secrets of genes. If you cut out a gene you want to know the function of with gene scissors, the trait or function expressed by that gene disappears, so you can analyze it and decipher the gene. Therefore, gene scissors are an important technology for incurable diseases or genetic diseases that cannot be treated with medication or surgery. If the disease is improved by the gene that has been cut out, it can be used for gene therapy. For example, CRISPR is very important for children born with genetic diseases or birth defects. The percentage of children who die from genetic diseases or birth defects is not low, and there is almost no fundamental treatment method, but with CRISPR, you can remove genes that can cause disease in children before birth or remove suspected genes in advance in preparation for genetic diseases that may occur later. Therefore, you can manipulate your child’s genes to eliminate diseases and disorders and help your child achieve their dreams in the future through superior traits. In addition, CRISPR is increasing the possibility of curing the incurable disease AIDS. The AIDS virus enters the body by binding to receptors on the cell surface, and by using gene scissors to eliminate the genes that make the receptors, the virus can be prevented from entering the body. Clinical trials are already underway for AIDS patients, and if successful, it will bring about a major revolution in the medical community.
In addition, the existing banana varieties disappeared due to Panama disease caused by a fungus in the 1960s, which could have been prevented if genetic scissors had been available. Clonal bananas, which lack genetic diversity, are vulnerable to disease and pests and are therefore defenseless. However, using gene scissors, it is possible to cut out genes that are susceptible to disease and pests or to induce internal changes to secure a resistant variety in a short period of time. Since genes are directly involved in life phenomena, being able to decipher them even a little bit will be of great help in promoting the health of living organisms, and it will be possible to solve the problem of food shortages by making endangered plants resistant.
Those who oppose CRISPR technology will most likely be concerned that manipulating genes by removing or changing them will reduce genetic diversity and, as a result, reduce the ability to adapt to rapid changes in uniform genes. However, this overlooks the subjectivity, values, and preferences of each individual. Since each person has a different level of importance for a situation, different standards for an ideal partner, and different desired careers for their children, parents will be able to select the genes they prefer when using CRISPR to manipulate their children’s genes. In addition, the desired traits differ from generation to generation, and since the genes manipulated in the current generation are passed on to the next generation, new genetic manipulations will be added to the next generation. Therefore, the number of cases of gene design will be very diverse, and genetic diversity will be maintained. In addition, it will have uniform genes but will also include enhanced superior genes, so it will have excellent adaptability to the surrounding environment.
Some people worry that CRISPR technology will only be available to the rich because of its high cost, which will exacerbate social inequality. However, just as the cost of LASIK surgery was very high in the beginning but has dropped significantly due to advances in science and technology, CRISPR technology will also be expensive at first but will likely become more affordable as the technology becomes more widely available. Therefore, it will not be a technology only for the rich, but one that everyone can use. Finally, the reason why I think CRISPR technology can be dangerous is because the gene editing technology is imperfect. Although CRISPR technology is very sophisticated and can only cut target genes, it can cause exceptional side effects. However, many scientists are still working to improve CRISPR technology. They are researching ways to cut DNA accurately without making mistakes, and if the technology is further developed, CRISPR will become the perfect gene scissors.
It is true that CRISPR technology has caused ethical controversy. Some people oppose CRISPR technology, saying it is too much interference with life. However, I believe that CRISPR technology will make our lives healthier and more abundant. CRISPR will be a new hope for many incurable disease patients and will help humankind live longer and healthier lives.
