Written by Kayla L. (KIS'27)
━━ Nov 13, 2023━━
What is Gene-Editing?
Gene-editing, also called genome editing, is the process of changing parts of an organism or cell’s Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Nucleotides, which are monomers that are structured to make DNA, are made out of three components: a sugar, a phosphate residue, and one of the nitrogen bases. The four types of nitrogen bases are Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), and Thymine (T). The nucleotides are linked by the hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen bonds connect two nucleotides together to make a base pair. At large, a sugar-phosphate backbone is attached to the nucleotides in a DNA sequence. The backbone consists of alternating sugar and phosphate groups. The genetic information in DNA is stored in the cell’s nucleus.
During the process of gene editing, scientists alter the genetic codes by removing partial DNA sequences and replacing new pairs to change the genes. This way, the instructions inserted in the specific genomes can change. This affects a cell or an organism to change the way they are living. CRISPR/Cas9, TALE nucleases, and zinc-finger nucleases are the most common methods of gene editing. This modern technology is used for the purpose of prevention of hereditary diseases, food production, avoidance of social issues, and many other reasons.
How is Gene-Editing Used Today?
During human reproduction, a sperm and an egg unite to form a cell. The cell will have a total of 46 chromosomes: half from the female and another half from the male. Two of the chromosomes will each make a pair to make a total of 23 chromosome pairs. However, in order to apply the gene-editing technology, the genetic codes of one of the parents (or both) will be varied to change the harmful DNA vulnerable to potential hereditary diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and diverse types of cancer.
The purposes of using this technology are to prevent failure in agriculture and to produce the ideal and synthetic food. Some factors of failures in agriculture can include plant diseases, insects, droughts, and more. In addition, scientists have discovered that successful results in gene-editing crops can include adapting to the local environment, maintaining the fresh condition of the food for a longer period of time, and altering so that the genetically modified organisms (GMO) can satisfy the customers purchasing the crop with better characteristics. Not only this method can fulfill many people, but it can also benefit the environment, allowing the farmers to reduce the use of pesticides and water.
According to Alyse Messmer (2021), “Two companies plan to bring genetically modified strawberries into the hands of consumers, promising that the berries will stay fresh longer and have a longer growing season, the Associated Press reported.” The two collaborators have been approved to examine gene-editing technology by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because they conducted similar research on potatoes in previous years. The companies believe that the development of genetically strawberries can reduce the amount of waste created due to failure because, after successful breeding, fewer strawberries will be wasted. CRISPR-Cas9 will be used, and the strawberries will be available for customers in a few years.
How Does Gene-Editing Slow Down Climate Change?
As previously stated, the benefits of using gene editing can positively affect and possibly resolve small parts of social issues. A lot of the social issues can connect with the advantages of gene-editing such as preventing climate change, discrimination formed due to individuality, poverty, and loss of biodiversity. The Sustainable Development Goals connected with the topics are: Good Health and Well Being (3), Decent Work and Economic Growth (8), Reduced Inequalities (10), Responsible Consumption and Production (12), and Climate Change (13).
Good Health and Well Being (3) targets healthy lives for all age groups. This goal can be covered because editing the genetic codes of people will prevent potential hereditary diseases through medical diseases. Eventually, the percentage of people suffering from particular diseases would decrease, which could possibly reduce the death rate. Decent Work and Economic Growth (8) targets sustainable economic growth. If gene-editing technology becomes more open to public usage, occupations related to the scientific field will expand, and more opportunities will be given to the ones that are in need of jobs. This will increase the employment rate. Economic growth refers to the state's capacity and the increase in the amount of goods produced. Reduced Inequalities (10) targets minimizing inequalities formed due to religion, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, and more. Specifically, gene editing can aim to lessen disability inequality. The method will be utilized for people who face challenges adapting to society because of their mental or physical differences. Responsible Consumption and Production (12) targets ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. Altering the genetic codes of agricultural products can create the right-fit foods for people and reduce failures. Climate Change (13) targets preventing climate change and stopping deterioration from the consequences. The factors that develop from the technology will all benefit in slowing down climate change.
What Are the Risks of Gene-Editing?
While using modern technology, the risks of gene editing are inevitable because it can have risky consequences. Although it can impede disabilities, it can also leave negative effects such as disabilities since the technology is experimental. Also, if gene-editing technology is legalized, human diversity will be diminished because people will start to lose their individuality. In addition, the fact that only wealthy people would take advantage of the expensive technology cannot be ignored.
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Credits:
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Latham, K. (2023, June 29). The quest to grow the perfect strawberry. BBC. Retrieved September
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