• UGI USER
  • Aug 17, 2023
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Q. The CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors have revolutionized the genome editing technique with applications in various areas. Discuss.

Approach:

  • Introduce by explaining the meaning of genome editing and CRISPR- Cas9 genome editing technique.
  • Explain in brief how CRISPR- Cas9 has revolutionized the genome editing technique.
  • Highlight its application in various areas.
  • Conclude by mentioning the challenges and way forward.

Answer:

  • Genome editing or gene editing is a group of technologies, which allows genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome. CRISPR – Cas9 is the most prominent genome editing technique.
  • CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, which are specialized stretches of DNA.
  • The protein Cas9 is an enzyme that acts like a pair of molecular scissors, capable of cutting strands of DNA.

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized the gene editing techniques because:

  • It is cheaper, simpler, more accurate and efficient than other existing genome editing methods such as Zinc finger nuclease-based engineering, Mega nuclease-based engineering etc.
  • CRISPR/Cas9 can be applied directly in embryo, which reduces the time required to modify target genes compared to gene targeting technologies based on the use of embryonic stem (ES) cells.

CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technique has application in numerous areas. It can potentially eliminate genetic, and other, diseases, multiply agricultural production, correct deformities, and  bring cosmetic perfection.

In effect, anything that is linked with functioning of the genes can be corrected, or ‘edited’. For example:

  • Public Health: There are clinical trials on CRISPR’s use for blood disorders such as sickle cell disease or beta-thalassemia, for the treatment of the most common cause of inherited childhood blindness and for cancer immunotherapy. It can also be used for therapeutic cloning whereby embryonic cells are cloned to obtain biological organs for transplantation.
  • Agriculture: CRISPR also has great potential to create a large number of crop varieties with improved agronomic performance, which can be helpful to improve crop quality, yield, nutritional content, disease resistance, and herbicide resistance.
  • Livestock and Animal Rearing: It can lead to better disease resistance, increased animal welfare and improved productive traits – animals producing more meat, milk or high-quality wool.

This CRISPR technology is a path-breaking technology, to alter genes in order to tackle a number of conventional and unconventional problems, especially in the health sector.

However, experiments and tests to validate its use must be subjected to appropriate scrutiny by the regulators, and their use must be controlled to prevent commercial misuse.

Thus, there is a need for broad and inclusive discussion on the regulation of such technologies – especially given their vast applications and potential.