Ishan BhatnagarAIR 5 · CSE 2025 · 217 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
CRISPR technology is an advanced gene editing tool which acts as a molecular scissor to cleave harmful genes (e.g. oncogenes) and replace these with template genes. It addresses the genetic cause of disease.
CRISPR is also used to introduce desirable traits in organisms such as higher yield in plants or self-termination in mosquitoes.
Body · points
Recent Developments →
CRISPR-Cas9 is used to treat forms of cancer such as blood cancer, bone cancer etc.
used to correct gene defects pertaining to dysfunction of various body parts. e.g. sickle cell anaemia.
used in biotechnology to improve food nutrition, crop yield and disease resilience.
used to enhance yield of crops like Jatropha for biofuel production.
Opportunities
curing cancer and other genetic diseases.
Preventing diseases by making alterations to gametes.
Food and nutritional security.
Energy security through biofuels.
Modifying body immunity to better fight infections.
Ethical challenges
Risk of genetic divide - accessibility of treatment only to the wealthy.
Designer babies and 'perfected' genome.
GM Crops → bio-contaminant ↳ unintended health effects
Issues of side effects such as gene rejection, cytokine storm, auto-immune response etc.
Way forward As per Oviedo Convention on Bioethics - (i) uphold principle of humanity (ii) equitable access to treatments (iii) precautionary principle in genetic engineering.
Close · a way forward
None written.