Consequences
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
(1) "CRISPR/Cas-9: An Exciting Addition to Genomic Editing." CRISPR/Cas-9: An Exciting Addition to Genomic Editing. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015. <http://www.wolfgreenfield.com/newsstand/700-crispr-cas--exciting-addition-genomic-editing#_ftn4>.
(2) Rojahn, Susan Young. "Genome Surgery." N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015. <http://www.technologyreview.com/review/524451/genome-surgery/>.
(3) Strachan, Tom. "Gene Therapy." Gene Therapy and Other Molecular Genetic-based Therapeutic Approaches. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015.
- The CRISPR method has incredible versatility working in both cells and embryos while also being easy to use and affordable. (1)
- While Crispr can be used for cutting DNA, it can also be used as a DNA nickase, (a version of the Cas9 enzyme which generates a single-strand DNA break instead of a double-strand DNA break).
- CRISPR/Cas-9 can act as an RNA-guided platform for sequence-specific control of gene expression. (1) This gene expression control may prove particularly useful in drug design.
- Using a non-pathogenic virus to transport the genetic technology is the most effective way of doing so, and has a decreased chance of contributing to any negative consequences.
- The non-pathogenic virus will be able to quickly transport the CRISPR technology, (with immunosuppressives.)
- The non-pathogenic virus will be able to successfully insert the technology in all cells in a somewhat natural way, which would be a milestone in the discipline of genetic engineering.
Disadvantages:
- It is very difficult to introduce new genes into the cells and keep them working because genome editing is an imperfect process.
- The DNA repair process is an imperfect repair system and may cause deletions or insertions of base pairs at the site of the double-strand break, resulting in more DNA mutations and medical issues. (2)
- The nonpathogenic virus may mutate and become harmful to the body.
- There is currently no natural way for the virus to distribute the genome editing technology to all of the bodies cells without being detected and attacked by the immune system
- This technology is extremely expensive.
- The cells might reject foreign matter that is introduced into the new gene.
- There is a possibility that the gene could integrate into the wrong location and cause a disruption in the healthy genes and ultimately the overall health of the patient. (3)
(1) "CRISPR/Cas-9: An Exciting Addition to Genomic Editing." CRISPR/Cas-9: An Exciting Addition to Genomic Editing. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015. <http://www.wolfgreenfield.com/newsstand/700-crispr-cas--exciting-addition-genomic-editing#_ftn4>.
(2) Rojahn, Susan Young. "Genome Surgery." N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015. <http://www.technologyreview.com/review/524451/genome-surgery/>.
(3) Strachan, Tom. "Gene Therapy." Gene Therapy and Other Molecular Genetic-based Therapeutic Approaches. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2015.