CRISPR-CAS9
GENE EDITING
TECHNOLOGY
Gene editing is a ground
breaking , revolutionary
technology that has the ability
to give back a lot of positivity to
the world if used ethically. This
technology faces alot of
challenges moving forward
when it comes to how best to
engage the public with this
science, and discuss the
profound societal and ethical
impacts of CRISPR technology
and ensure it is not abused.
BACKGROUND ON CRISPR-CAS9
CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered
regularly interspaced short
palindromic repeat) is a
multipurpose technology for
genetic engineering guided by
RNA using a nucleotide called
Cas. This nucleotide causes a
double stranded break which
splits the DNA strand of the
organism and the introduces or
removes genomes which
causes the alteration f DNA.
WHAT IS GENE EDITING.
You’ve probably heard of gene editing
before, but do you know what it actually is
Gene editing is the alteration in
the genetic materials of living
organisms by inserting,
replacing or deleting a DNA
sequence. This technology is
used to improve the
characteristics of living things
like crops, animals or correcting
a genetic disorder.
 How to Engage to the Public
BENEFITS OF GENE EDITING About This Technology

The validity of every ethical concern raised by

Create a positive impact on
agriculture by enhancing crops.
It's application in eliminating
harmful pesticides and creating
crop friendly parasites that will
increase production.
It's application in medicine by
this science's ability to remove
mutations and give people a
gene editing demonstrates how hazardous this
science can be when handled improperly. But
by establishing guidelines and laws that are
punishable by law if broken, these worries can
be controlled and avoided.
This enables us to take advantage of the
benefits that gene editing technology can have
on the world beyond human genes. For
instance, addressing the global food crisis,
enhancing crop output, developing new

WHY PEOPLE
medicines, and halting the spread of disease.
healthy life. A science like CRISPR-Cas9 must not be

ARE AGAINST IT
ignored or forgotten because it has the
potential to significantly alter the course of
human history.
Several concerns are raised by the
public when it comes to gene
editing, for valid reasons as this
science can be easily abused and
can cause harm rather than create
positivity. Some of these concerns
include the unethical gene editing
on unborn babies, the change in
god's creation, permanently
altering human genetics and any
risks cause by this relatively new
science.
 CRISPR-Cas9
WHAT IS GENE EDITING

AND HOW DOES IT WORK

CRISPR-Cas9 is a unique technology that

enables the alternating of gene sequences

MODERN GENETIC

either by adding, deleting or creating DNA

sequence and genes. ENGINEE MAKES

CRISPR-Cas9 short for clustered regularly

interspaced short palindromic repeat) is a gene

PRODUCING GMO
editing tool that works by integrating short
FOOD PRODUCTS

sequences of viral or plasmid genomes. There

are 3 types of CRISPR-Cas9 system but the

RELATIVELY EASY.

most researched and used is Type II. GMOS CAN IMPROVE

CROP YEILD AND

CRISPR- CAS9 GENE

GREATLY ENHANCE

EDITING TECHNOLOGY THE NUTRITIONAL

VALUE OF THOSE SAME

The new ground breaking technology known as

gene editing is famous amongst all scientist CROPS.
and biomedical engineers. The CRISPR-CAS9
has the ability to be harnessed as a strategy to
create new food, therapeutics, materials and NOBEL PRIZE WINNER

methods for controlling the spread of disease .

The technology for gene editing has been
RICHARD J. ROBERTS
developed and is out in the world, but the It involves two important components, target

challenge when it comes to using such specific RNA and Cas9 nucleotides which is a

technology comes hand in hand with the ethical

side of gene editing. very short conserved sequence, once directed

to the targeted DNA this nucleotide

That is because this technology can be easily

abused if used unethically. So the question generates a double strand break that is the

remains, how can we engage the public with repaired by mutation-introducing non-

this science that can really create a positive homologous end-joining (NHEJ) resulting in

difference in the world? gene replacements. .

BENEFITS OF GENE HOW TO ENGAGE TO THE

PUBLIC ABOUT THIS

EDITING TECHNOLOGY
All the ethical concerns associated with gene

The positive impact it has on crops, by editing are valid and it shows how dangerous

enhancing the genes, making crops withstand

this science can be if abused. But these
harsh weather conditions and even produce
concerns can be managed and avoided by

larger amounts. setting rules and regulations, even laws

punishable by law if crossed.

It's application targeting pesticides, making
This allows us to harness the positivity gene

them useful for the growth of crops rather than

editing technology can bring to the world in

harmful. aspects other than human genes. Such as in

solving the food crisis effecting countries

This technology's application in medicine can be
ETHICAL SIDE OF GENE around the world, improving crop production,

revolutionary by it's ability to remove or fix

therapeutics, and controlling the spread of

Mutations and allow humans to live a healthy

EDITING disease.
life. It is very important that a science such as

CRISPR-Cas9 not be disregarded and forgotten

Gene editing is often discouraged by many

because it truly has a potential of improving
the world.
and there's an on going debate between

scientists and ethicists over how this

technology can be abused or misused.

This is because of this technology's wide
range of application that includes
nonheritable human genome editing, which
involves adding genetic information to
fetuses in utero altering their appearance or
even behavior. This can lead to the
disrespect of DNA, some consider it
challenging gods creation, another ethical
concern is the lack of consent from the fetus
and how this will affect future generations.
In addition to other concerns such as
creating social pressure to modify children,
social inequality and unpredictable risks
associated with this technology.
CITATIONS:

B. Lufkin, “50 grand challenges for the 21st Century,” Bbc.com, 2017.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170331-50-grand-challenges-for-the-21st-century
“Frontiers in Genome Editing,” Frontiersin.org, 2021.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genome-editing

“CRISPR-Cas technology: Targeted Genome Editing Technology - ACROBiosystems,” 2017.

www.acrobiosystems.com. https://www.acrobiosystems.com/A1657-CRISPR-Cas-
technology.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA6fafBhC1ARIsAIJjL8nV-

6khbzY_tCzUXPuVpBuqz39Ecyli5_U2byJA-2XtqUiwqJeW9pUaAnucEALw_wcB
. (accessed Mar
01, 2023).

B. S. Coller, “Ethics of Human Genome Editing,” Annual Review of Medicine, vol. 70, no. 1, pp.
289–305, Jan. 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-112717-094629

IMAGES FROM:

https://www.origene.com/products/gene-expression/crispr-cas9

CRISPR Genome-Editing Technology: The Future of Gene Editing

CRISPR Gene Editing Prompts Chaos in DNA of Human Embryos

New CRISPR tool could enable gene editing over time, study shows

CRISPR Genome-Editing Technology: The Future of Gene Editing

CRISPR development enables simultaneous gene editing