CRISPR-CAS9 to the rescue

It’s time for the next big medical discovery. A new genome-editing mechanism named CRISPR-CAS9
has emerged, proving the world that the genome of all organisms can be altered in a quick and easy
manner. This form of genome altercation on its own could cure diseases and be an answer to world
hunger in combination with further research in GMO’s.

The CRISPR-CAS9 enzyme is given 2 DNA strands, one strand as target identification -where the
enzyme is supposed to cut the organism’s DNA- and a second one that serves as donor DNA. This
donor DNA is then paired up with the cut ends of the original DNA, thereby changing the original
base sequence. This method would allow scientists to cure and prevent genetic diseases, such as
Alzheimer’s disease, by removing or replacing the defective genes with a healthy copy.

Removing genes from an organisms DNA could pose a threat. If the function of a gene is unknown to
the scientists, removing it might also have negative consequences for the organism. On the flip side,
removing certain genes and waiting for consequences to appear can give away the functions of a
gene. This would mean an immense leap forward for genome science. Not only the function of
certain genes would be discovered, but also the interactions between genes could be mapped, as
some genes repress, stimulate or even cancel out the function of other genes.

Genome altercation has always raised major ethical questions leading to worldwide debates. Think
back at 2020 when scientists debated whether they should revive the wooly mammoth or when
GMO used to be a reason to storm and destroy farmland. But when we use our common sense we
can clearly see that the possibility to cure previously thought uncurable diseases greatly outweighs
the argument that humans should not be playing ‘God’.