Genetic disorders are sicknesses that happen because of changes or mistakes in a person’s DNA. Some of these sicknesses can be passed down from parents to children, like cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and sickle cell anemia. Others can just happen out of nowhere while a baby is developing in the womb, like fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, which makes people grow a second skeleton.
Treating genetic disorders is tough because they affect every cell in the body, and there’s no easy way to fix the messed-up DNA. But a new method called CRISPR-Cas9 might offer a possible answer. CRISPR-Cas9 is a tool for editing genes that can cut and paste DNA sequences inside living cells with precision. It can be used to take out, put in, or change genes as needed.
CRISPR-Cas9 has been successfully used to edit the genes of plants, animals, and human cells in labs. But what if we could use it to edit the genes of human embryos before they are placed in the mother’s womb? This could stop genetic disorders from being passed from parents to children, or fix mistakes that happen during early development.
This idea is not just something from science fiction anymore. In a recent study published in the Gene Therapy journal, scientists from China reported that they used CRISPR-Cas9 to treat a genetic disorder called beta-thalassemia in human embryos. Beta-thalassemia is a blood disorder that cuts down the production of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. People with beta-thalassemia struggle with anemia, tiredness, infections, and damage to organs.
The scientists got 33 embryos from couples doing in vitro fertilization (IVF) who were carriers of beta-thalassemia. They put CRISPR-Cas9 into the embryos to target and fix the gene causing the disorder. They then checked the embryos for their genetic status and development.
The results showed that CRISPR-Cas9 successfully fixed the mistake in 23 out of 33 embryos (70%). The embryos with edited genes also grew normally and didn’t show any signs of unwanted effects or abnormal chromosomes. The scientists concluded that CRISPR-Cas9 could be a possible and safe method to treat beta-thalassemia in human embryos.
However, this study also brought up some moral and social questions. Is it okay to edit the genes of human embryos for medical reasons? What are the potential risks and benefits of doing so? Who should be allowed to use this technology and under what conditions? How should we control and watch over its use?
These questions are hard to answer, and they need a careful look at the scientific evidence, moral principles, and what society values. As research on gene editing in human embryos moves forward, it’s important to include different people and viewpoints, and to set clear rules and standards for its responsible use.
Gene editing could be a strong tool to treat genetic disorders in embryos, but it also brings new challenges and responsibilities for us all. We should take this chance with care and wisdom.
References:
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/crispr-gene-editing-human-embryos
- https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01906-4
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/editing-human-embryos-so-this-happened
- https://theconversation.com/five-reasons-we-should-embrace-gene-editing-research-on-human-embryos-51474
- https://theconversation.com/scientists-edit-human-embryos-to-safely-remove-disease-for-the-first-time-heres-how-they-did-it-81925
Dr. Sumeet is a seasoned geneticist turned wellness educator and successful financial blogger. GenesWellness.com, leverages his rich academic background and passion for sharing knowledge online to demystify the role of genetics in wellness. His work is globally published and he is quoted on top health platforms like Medical News Today, Healthline, MDLinx, Verywell Mind, NCOA, and more. Using his unique mix of genetics expertise and digital fluency, Dr. Sumeet inspires readers toward healthier, more informed lifestyles.
