Question

Please read the following article to gain added perspective on bioethics and biotechnology.

(Bioethics for Biotechnologists From Dolly to CRISPR)

https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/opag/2/1/article-p160.xml

1. Provide a brief summary on the CRISPR technology application of biotechnology (100 Words)

2. With regard to your chosen application of biotechnology (CRISPR). Write on (Should access to novel and expensive technology be provided to those who cannot afford it?) (100 Words)

Answer 1

1. CRISPR stands for - Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. It has employed a simple and affordable way of editing or manipulating DNA, and this has changed the face of genome engineering. Cas9 enzymes, together with CRISPR sequences form the basis of this new technology and enables to edit DNA sequences for the benefit. Some of the reported benefits from CRISPR are given below.

- Allergen free foods: Food allergies affect a huge population and can be life threatening in few cases. With CRISPR, researchers have begun to rewrite or manipulate those DNA sequences, that are recognised by immune systems and can cause allergic reactions.

Few researchers have applied the technology to edit the DNA of wheat to remove gluten content, so that it can be used by celiacs

- Nutritious fishes: With CRISPR, researchers have modified tha salmons that can grow twice as fast as normal salmons. With this technology, they are also trying to increase the omega-3 content of fish and make them more nutritious.

- Disease treatments with CRISPR:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in mouse - mutations in dystrophin gene. Through CRISPR, the intervening DNA is removed and the reading frame of gene is restored.

Retinal degeneration - Mouse, mutations in the Nrl gene. With CRISPR, they have substantially improved the survival of rods (night vision) and also preserved function of cones (day vision).

Cystic fibrosis - Mutations in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductor receptor locus. The defective allele was corrected through CRISPR, and was made functional.

Phenylketonuria in mouse - the mutant gene was restored through CRISPR and the activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase (pah) was restored.