top of page
Shantosmita Biswas

Gene Editing & Designer Babies

We are experiencing a spectacular shift in our quickly changing world, one that is being fueled by developments in AI, robotics, and chatbots that are powered by GPT. Numerous stages of our life have been altered by these technologies, from increasing productivity and efficiency to enhancing consumer experiences. However, the medical field has also seen some changes recently, so it's not just the technology sector that is developing quickly.


Crispr kit has entered the competition due to recent interest and excitement. The term "CRISPR kit" describes a groundbreaking gene-editing tool that enables precise alterations to an organism's DNA. Due to its ease of use, effectiveness, and adaptability, it has attracted a lot of interest and appeal in the scientific world. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, or CRISPR, are little DNA fragments that are present in the genomes of bacteria and other microbes. Cas proteins, which function as molecular scissors capable of cutting DNA at precise sites, are present alongside these repeats. Scientists have created the CRISPR-Cas9 system as a potent tool for targeted gene editing by leveraging this built-in defense mechanism.


Crispr has made its way in not only being an advanced technology in the medical field but is also saving numerous lives. In 2017, scientists at Oregon Health & Science University successfully used Crispr to correct a disease-causing genetic mutation in human embryos. This breakthrough offered hope for preventing inherited diseases from being passed onto future generations. Another remarkable achievement came in 2019 when researchers at Boston Children's Hospital used Crispr to cure a patient with sickle cell disease. By modifying the patient's own stem cells, they were able to eliminate the genetic mutation responsible for the disease and restore normal blood function. Crispr has the ability to completely transform agriculture by increasing crop yields, raising nutrient content, and strengthening plant defenses against pests, diseases, and other environmental stresses. In 2017, researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory utilized Crispr to modify a breed of rice that produced more grains per plant, resulting in higher yields.


When we were kids, most of us probably wanted to personalize a doll to look just like us. In today's society, some parents will go over and beyond to "create" their perfect children. They modify their babies' qualities and features, much like a doll. Designer babies are what this entails. Not only can Crispr be used but Germline gene therapy is yet another method that might be employed to produce designer offspring. This strategy requires changing the genes in reproductive cells in order to transmit particular features to succeeding generations. Preventing genetic illnesses or problems is one of the main reasons parents choose designer kids. By doing this, they can lessen the possibility of passing genetic problems on to their offspring, giving them a better future. Enhancing specific mental or physical characteristics is another reason parents decide to have designer children. Parents may be able to affect attributes like height, IQ or athletic prowess. This desire is motivated by parents' expectations that their children would benefit from these improved features in all aspects of life, including academics, athletics, and other pursuits. Additionally, some parents may choose designer babies as a result of societal pressures or personal preferences. They can have specific expectations for their child's personality and feel that genetic engineering can help them realize those goals. Parents could feel pressured to use genetic modification to give their offspring the characteristics or skills that are expected of them in specific cultures or societies. Additionally, the quest for designer offspring can cause society's values to become fixated on perfection. The temptation to produce "ideal" children with particular qualities could cause society to lessen variation and individuality. This might lead to a loss of racial, ethnic, and genetic diversity, which would eventually affect the diversity and vitality of human cultures.


It is crucial to determine if these new technologies are truly suited for you before implementing them. It is advisable for teenagers to educate themselves about these common technologies before succumbing to peer pressure. Under the protection of the medical community, it is hoped that the Crispr will be able to treat a variety of illnesses and save lives.



82 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page