Gene Editing: A Powerful Tool for Modifying DNA

Introduction:

Intro 1: Gene editing is a set of techniques used to modify the DNA of an organism. It allows for precise, targeted changes to the genetic material, which can include adding, removing, or altering specific DNA sequences.

Intro 2: Gene editing is a powerful technique that allows scientists to essentially cut, paste, or rewrite the genetic code of living organisms. Imagine it like editing a document - you can insert new information, delete unwanted parts, or even fix typos. But instead of words and sentences, you're working with the DNA that determines an organism's traits.

Intro 3: It is a way of making specific changes to the DNA of a cell or organism. This allows genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.

It is a three-stage complex mechanism of unwinding, cleaving and rewinding of DNA to bring desirable changes in the genome of any living beings.

Working Mechanism:

1. 1. Engineered Nuclease: Cuts the Genome at a specific place
2. 2. Manipulating Cell’s own Repair Mechanism to Repair the Cut
3. 3. Various Techniques: CRISPR-Cas9, ZFNs, TALENS

Crispr-CAS9***

Introduction:

Introduction 1: CRISPR is a genetic code or sequence found in bacteria. These are formed due to the activity of the previous bacteriophages that had infected them. Bacteria uses CRISPR sequence to remember each specific virus by incorporating the virus’ DNA into their own bacterial genome which gives them protection or immunity from that virus when it attacks again.

Cas9 Genes are located nearby produces special enzymes that have co-evolved with CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats). The significance of these Cas enzymes is their ability to act as “molecular scissors” that can cut into DNA.

Introduction 2: CRISPR is a genetic sequence found in bacteria, formed from the DNA of previous bacteriophages that infected them. Bacteria use the CRISPR sequence to remember specific viruses by incorporating viral DNA into their own genome, granting immunity against future attacks by the same virus. Nearby, the Cas9 genes produce specialized enzymes that have co-evolved with CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats). These Cas enzymes are significant for their ability to function as "molecular scissors," capable of cutting DNA at specific sites.

Conclusion:

CRISPR is being used to develop new tools to characterize pathogenic agents, diagnose infectious disease, and develop vaccines and therapeutics to mitigate the effects of an outbreak.

If the benefits of CRISPR can be adequately balanced with the risks involved with its use, the biotechnology, public health, and medical communities will make great strides in strengthening global health security.

Concerns:

1. 1. Ethical Dilemma: including eugenics helping the fittest to survive, religious debate, the possible rise of clones, designer babies, and possibly superhumans.
2. 2. Safety Concerns: Fear of introducing a new and deadly disease
3. 3. Potential Loss to Diversity: GM Species might have detrimental effect on genetic diversity

Advantages

1. 1. For Research: Can be used to change the DNA in cells or organisms to understand their biology and how they work.
2. 2. Treatment of Diseases: Used to modify human blood cells that are then put back into the body to treat conditions including leukaemia and AIDS
3. 3. Biotechnology: Agriculture to genetically modify crops to improve their yields and resistance to disease and drought, as well as to genetically modify cattle etc.
4. 4. Therapeutic Cloning: Process whereby embryonic cells are cloned to obtain biological organs for transplantation

Way Forward: 

1. 1. Altruistic Science: Research must be designed to increase human health and wellbeing. Early stage and uncertain application should be avoided to minimize the risk.
2. 2. Consensus based Application: Human genome editing for reproductive purposes should not be attempted until safe and effective research confirms the same and a social consensus is reached.
3. 3. Treatment of Last Resort: Human germline editing should be permitted only when there is no reasonable alternative for disease prevention.
4. 4. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: provides that all clinical trials in India should follow the guidelines prescribed in the Belmont report.