What will give people the opportunity to edit their genes

Researchers dream of the possibility of gene editing, in which DNA is removed or added to

correction of various genetic mutations. But what will such technology lead to if it becomes used everywhere? This is described in the BBC Science Focus Magazine article. Discuss

CRISPR is a technology thanks towhich is replaced by something or part of the DNA is completely removed. This makes it possible to prevent gene mutations. True, I must say that this is not the only such development, but the most versatile, simple and cheap than most analogues.

Treatments using CRISPR technology have alreadyreceived in 2019 by Victoria Gray. She suffered from a genetic disease – sickle cell anemia. The therapy turned out to be effective, and she, like other participants in the experiment, now does not need medications or blood transfusions.

Scientists from the IGI, where it was developedCRISPR technology, now they are studying the features of not only sickle cell anemia, but also autoimmune, neurological diseases, cancer, COVID-19. It is planned that they can be cured by gene editing, as well as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease.

According to biochemist Jennifer Doudna, CRISPR can be used for the most part to prevent the onset of disease. True, there are several problems here.

First of all, it is ethical.Is this kind of editing “playing God”? Next – editing accuracy. There is a possibility that a change in one part of the genome may lead to changes in another part. The worst case scenario is – the occurrence of cancer in humans due to DNA damage.

Therefore, according to Dr. Ross Wilson, Director of Therapeutic Support at IGI, it is necessary to conduct clinical trials that prove the safety of the technology.

IGI employees are also working on technologyCRISPRoff. It will make it possible to “turn off” a particular gene in a person without “cutting” the DNA chain. It is expected that in this case the risk of unpleasant consequences will be lower than with CRISPR.

But there is one very important problem that canbecome a major obstacle to the spread of gene editing treatments. This is the cost of therapy. Jennifer Doudna fears that technology will be available only to the “select” people, which will exacerbate the gap between the poor and the rich.

Source: BBC Science Focus Magazine