CRISPR-Cas9 is a tool that’s creating a major buzz in scientific circles. Clare Garrard explains how targeted genome editing will change the world forever!
Genetic modification in one form or another has been around for centuries. With the passage of time, we have seen the progression from breeding and selection to inserting genes into other organisms so that they can make things for us (think insulin). Last week, KAT-O hosted a TechTalk in Cape Town, where speaker Dr Janine Scholefield presented a talk on an exciting new technology, called CRISPR/Cas9.
The CRISPR/Cas9 complex was discovered in 2012 by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, who were doing research on bacterial immune systems. They soon realised that it had far greater potential than they had ever imagined.
CRISPR works together with Cas9 to identify and cut at a particular piece of DNA. Now, the special thing about this is that CRISPR is customisable ““ scientists can give it a piece of DNA, and it will guide the Cas9 enzyme to cut at that particular site. This makes it a powerful tool for genome engineering.
What‘s more, CRISPR/Cas9 can be used in live cells, and, unlike other similar tools, it is easy to use and can be made in just a couple of days. This technology is powerful, and accessible to scientists everywhere. As co-discoverer Doudna pointed out, “œAnybody with basic molecular biology training can use it for genome editing.“
CRISPR/Cas9 is being adapted for a wide range of applications. It can be used to insert DNA, or to cut it out. You can also inactivate the Cas9 (the scissors) and use CRISPR to locate sections of DNA. CRISPR/Cas9 is already being used to make donor tissue compatible, to introduce single mutations into cell lines for drug toxicity tests (in order to identify harmful mutations), and in cancer research.
People have speculated that CRISPR/Cas9 technology could eventually be used to rid the world of disease entirely, or reverse aging. While we‘re not quite at that level yet, CRISPR certainly is a powerful tool, and has the potential to change the world we live in.
“What‘s more, CRISPR/Cas9 can be used in live cells, and, unlike other similar tools, it is easy to use and can be made in just a couple of days.”
However, as we all know, with great power comes great responsibility. In 2015, the world saw the first instance of genome editing in human embryos. While these embryos were in fact not viable for life, it created a huge uproar, and many scientists called for a temporary prohibition of experimenting with human embryos until such a time as the implications of this kind of research could be discussed. While most countries have implemented firm laws on the uses of genome editing, some countries have laws that, as Scholefield puts it, “œare described at best as ambiguous.“
It will probably take years for genome engineering to become commonplace, but one could imagine the path it might take. We‘d start by correcting genetic diseases, and fighting disease. The question may even change from “œIs it ethical to use it?“ to “œIs it ethical not to use it?“ But once the door is opened, it‘s not a big step to start using CRISPR/Cas9 for so-called ‘vanity traits’, such as good looks, intelligence, or athleticism. As Doudna said, “œOnce the discovery is made, it‘s out there.“
However, in contemplating the opportunity for misuse, we must not forget the opportunity for good. In Scholefield‘s words, “œWhat we really want ““ ultimately ““ is for scientists to be enabled to do some really rad science with this tool, but make sure at the same time that the public‘s mind is at ease.“
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