spot along the DNA strand, greatly increasing the chance of developing cancer.
In a study by Chinese scientists published in the journal Protein and Cell, scientists edited human embryos using CRISPR. To ease any concern, the embryos were‘ non-viable,’ meaning that they“ cannot result in a live birth.” The goal of the experiment was to see if changing a problematic gene in a fertilized embryo would ensure that all embryonic cells would have the corrected DNA.
86 embryos were injected with CRISPR- Cas9 designed to target a problematic gene in the DNA. After 48 hours( to give time for CRISPR- Cas9 to complete excisions), 71 embryos survived. 54 of those 71 were genetically tested, and 28 of through bacteriophages and have the Cas9 system those 54 were successfully cut. Only a fraction of excise the segment precisely. Furthermore, to introduce new genes, scientists could provide a do- alarming is the fact that 26 embryos of the 54 that
those 28 contained the new, correct DNA. More
nor DNA as Cas9 snips away DNA and allow the were cut were spliced incorrectly. Although there bacterium to replace the broken strand with the would probably be more success if all 71 surviving donor DNA. embryos were tested, there is still simply too low of a success percentage for CRISPR to be fully reliable for use to correct genetic er-
Although CRISPR“ We still think CRISPR is too immature” is still in its earlier stages
rors on embryos and humans. In
— Junjiu Huang, lead CRISPR Researcher of development and testing, scientists in China and the United States are Huang stated,“ We still think CRISPR is too imma-
fact, lead researcher Junjiu
currently racing to perfect the process for use on ture,” citing that“ If you want to do it in normal humans, considering the revolutionary ability to embryos, you need to be close to 100 %.” Despite remove pernicious genetic diseases or add favorable traits. In fact, Chinese scientists used CRISPR continue working to massively decrease the mar-
CRISPR’ s incredible capabilities, scientists must
for the first time on a live patient suffering from an gin of error before it will have a profound effect in aggressive case of lung cancer to help fend off adverse effects quite recently on October 28 of this
Nothing is too good to be true, and CRISPR
saving lives. year. is no exception. No doubt is the scientific community and the world looking forward to the benefits
Even though it has been used on a human subject, the technology is rather rudimentary. of the gene editing technology, but there may also There still is the possibility that, while it is precise, be drawbacks that come with the almighty power the Cas9 molecule could make a cut at the wrong of CRISPR. Many argue that it would be unethical
18 | THE BELL NUCLEUS · Jan 2016