Will scientifically modified embryos
be the new generation? The article I chose discusses the US’s first successful
attempt at editing the DNA of multiple embryos led by Dr. Shoukhrat Mitalipov. This
experiment used a gene-altering technology by the name of CRISPR, which alters
the DNA of large numbers of one-cell embryos that could potentially develop into
living humans if implanted in a womb. This experiment has been trialed many
times and has not been successful but Mitalipov was able to surpass past issues
with “off-target” editing by injecting CRISPR into the eggs at the same moment
the eggs were fertilized with the sperm. These embryos were only allowed to
grow for a few days, but it shows progress in what we are able to do!
This could either be detrimental or
fantastic in the future for us, but there are always trials and tribulations
with anything we can personally modify. These modifications can act as weapons
against us or be something extremely helpful. I’m all for change but only because
I know something amazing can come from this in the future. After all, what does
my opinion really matter?
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-07-27/scientists-edit-the-dna-of-embryos-for-first-time-in-united-states
http://www.nature.com/news/crispr-fixes-disease-gene-in-viable-human-embryos-1.22382
