The CRISPR-Case9 Method of Gene Editing - Paper Example

Introduction

Gene editing is a kind of genomic engineering that enables the scientists to modify, replace, insert or delete DNA sequence of a cell of an organism. A DNA strand is cut at a particular point, and the existing natural repair mechanism is initiated, the broken DNA strand is then repaired. The process of repair may alter functions of the gene, and the new sequence of DNA is achieved after the DNA has been cut, this turns as templates for developing another sequence. Gene editing methods are used to alter gene functions and hence they can be used for changing variant that causes the disease to a variant that has normal functioning. Gene editing techniques use particular proteins which can slice DNA from a specific target location. In recent genome editing techniques, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats based technology is used; this method is more effective and efficient. Most of the genome editing strategies have in use in scientific research; however other potential methods are beyond research. Gene editing can change DNA sequence in a plant, bacterium, human being or an animal (Dinerstein, Chuck, 25). Crops and livestock, industrial biotechnology biomedicine and reproduction are the main areas that have benefited from genome editing however in some cases gene editing have become less novel, and most of their developments have failed the stipulated regulations in genetic engineering. As a result, the extent of regulatory strategies has to be proportional to the hazards involved. This article aims to argue on the extent to which gene editing need to be regulated using various perspectives.

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The CRISPR-Case9 method is faster and does not use foreign DNA; therefore it should not be regulated. To support this idea, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats in conjunction with protein 9 is a genome-editing technique that is widely used. It refers to the basis of the system guide; its purpose is to identify the target point in a DNA that needs to be modified. Case9 refers to the association of CRISPR and protein 9; this protein cuts the identified point in a DNA. CRISPR-Case9 was implemented from a naturally occurring gene editing system in the bacterium. Bacteria capture bits and pieces of DNA from incoming viruses and use it to generate DNA sections referred to as CRISPR arrays (Matthew Hirsch, 18). The array helps the bacteria to remember the virus or any other related viruses; therefore if the virus invades again, the bacteria can fight back by producing RNA from the CRISPR arrays that target the invading viruses. The bacteria use protein (Case9) or the same enzyme to slice the DNA apart hence disabling the virus and its entire process (Doudna, Jennifer, and Samuel, 16).

First Perspective

CRISPR-Case9 system is used in the scientific laboratories in similar ways that of the bacteria. A small piece of RNA is created with a small size guide sequence that binds to a particular sequence of DNA in a gene, RNA in also attaches to Case 9 enzyme. The altered RNA is therefore used to identify the DNA sequence, and Case9 comes in place to cut the DNA at the target point. Also, Cpf1(an enzyme) can be used in place of Case9. After DNA has been cut the researchers uses the DNA of that particular cell to repair by inserting or deleting pieces of genetic components, alternatively they can make alterations in DNA by replacing a segment that exists in the DNA with another DNA sequence that is customized (Farrelly, Elizabeth 17)

In this research, I aimed at studying the benefits and limitations of CRISPR-Case9 technique for genome editing. There has been a significant advancement in genetic engineering since the establishment of CRISPR-Case9 that gives us reasons not to regulate. The most important advantage of CRISPR-Case9 over other methods is that it is simple, cheap and practical to use. It can be applied in embryo, therefore, reducing the period that is required to alter gene targeting expertise based on embryonic ES cells. Also, an advanced bioinformatics utility that has helped in identifying the target points to the design guide. RNA and optimization of the research conditions enabled normal procedures which promises successful introduction of the transformation of genetic properties. Gene editing has become the sexiest DNA editing mechanism in the scientific research of plants and plant breeding discoveries. For instance, the genetically modified organism's technology, researchers insert genes derived from different cells of different organisms into crops. Therefore, with the knowledge of genome editing, researchers generate additional genetic differences through precise alteration of the existing genome of the crops. This advancement in gene editing in crops have given rise to multiple opportunities and satisfaction in the agricultural sector; however, this development comes with challenges. One of the main weakness is that the genome edited plants can become less different from the naturally occurring crops (Tsang, Stephen, and George, 15).

The use of CRISPR-Case9 has some limitations despite its significant advantages; this requires statists to consider and maintain regulatory procedures. Scientific researchers should bring awareness on the positive improvements in gene editing and the importance of GMO in today's world. Pr. Godwin, the writer of "Good Enough to eat?" he describes the evolution of genetically modified products from the laboratories, he suggests that these products need to be consumed just like the natural products. CRISPR technology has open doors for successful research, and he hopes that the audience will understand the benefits of gene editing rather than relying on the wrong, misleading information about genetically modified products. (Kohn, Donald B., et al. 34)

On the other hand, CRISPR-Case9 in research that involved the use of mouse genetics, it has come to an extent where conclusions and its limiting performance as a gene editing program has to be taken into considerations. Significantly genome editing has dramatically improved human health and eradicating the burden of diseases. Prevention of most diseases have been made possible through CRISPR-Case9, and despite all the positive impacts of these scientific skills, the gene editing technologies have created a hell of problems in some cases. The world is confronted with health problems as a result of the rapid use of gene editing, the challenges of restricted germline engineering and science-based policies (Ledford, Heidi 24).

Second Perspective

CRISPR-Case9 is challenging ethical and legal formations and of responsibility and their uses in a medical setting requires new regulations approach to optimize the condition. Furthermore, the development of CRISPR-Case9 with a greater ability to make modifications in genes to provide changes that can be carried from one generation to the other have failed to consider off-limits, social and ethical issues. The risk of modified DNA rapidly transforms the social and economic practices in biotechnology. Major risks in CRISPR-Case9 practices include:

The problem that involves off-target, the results of this may be adverse because it can transform the function of the gene leading to gene instability.

Molecular that is involved when inserting the DNA fragment is helped by a DNA repair mechanism that is triggered by the double strand the breakdown introduced by protein 9. Since the DNA repair process is not to incorporate DNA segments in the genome, the target alleles do carry some of the extra modifications like partial and multiple integrations of the targeting variant, deletions, and duplications.

In the process of performing CRISPR-Case9 on the embryo, it is not possible to identify the appropriate event is creating limitations for selecting the desired allele. Also, mosaicism, a situation whereby the edited gene fails to carry complete modifications makes the selection of the target point to be more difficult.

Ethical and regulatory concerns play a crucial role when CRISPR-Case9 is used to edit human genomes. Many of the transformations introduced in human genome editing are very restricted in cells other than somatic cells. The density of gene editing and validation steps for the projects can result in considerable costs, timelines and reducing or withdrawing the essential benefits of the technology. Significantly, gene corrections are very important for the development of a balanced regulatory framework, this I because these applications enable personalized or nearly personalized cure treatments for victims suffering from an illness caused by genetic modification programs. In this context, extensive examination for safety and not be successful; therefore regulatory practices have to be modified to account for the use of legally approved gene editing procedures (Ronai, Isobel, and Kate, 16). Despite CRISPR-Case9 having limitations, its performance in the scientific field is essential. Lately, international meetings are held to evaluate the scientific, ethical, clinical, social and legal implications of the use of human gene editing methods like CRISPR-Case9. The use of this technology for human embryo modifications is causing complexities in the existing laws and ethical frameworks. There is a need to establish regulations on biotechnology that depend heavily on principles that are stipulated the Cartago protocol biosafety. Since the first meeting which was held in Washington DC in about three years ago, scientists have applied the multipurpose genome editing method CRISPR-Case9 continuously to varied domains such as human desires eradication and pest control. Many of the institutions who are involved in these acts have ruined the ethical, environmental and economic concerns as a result of manipulating animal and plant genome (Schmidt, Sarah, 25).

Conclusion

Genome editing in genetic engineering is a technology that has given the researchers a valuable tool in solving most of the scientific and health problems. Research on gene modification has greatly helped in medical health issues. Gene editing holds a significant promise to give a precise set of procedures for dealing with genetic illness, and there must be a considerable responsibility. The development of CRISPR-Case9 is a solution to the health challenges in human beings, especially when dealing with genetic diseases that are inherited. However, in some cases such as human editing (gene editing on reproductive cells) need to be regulated. As beneficial as technology is, it comes with challenges like off target a situation where Case9 fail to cut the desired point in the DNA sequence still require further research in order to reduce this hindrance (Weeks, Donald and Bing, 18). The use of every gene editing methods requires legal regulations in order to get read of organisms that may pose challenges to human life, plants, and animals. Every consumer of genetically modified products needs to understand the safety measures and instead of depending on the mysterious information concerning these products.

Works cited

Chonievich, Joseph. Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener: How to Create Unique Vegetables & Flowers. Portland: Timber Press, 2013. Internet resource

Dinerstein, Chuck. "CRISPR-Created Foods Are Different than GMOs. It's Wrong for Anti-GMO Activists to Pretend They're Not."