Editing Human DNA?

"With new gene-editing techniques, we can transform life-but should we?"(August 2016 issue of National Geographic)

In the August of 2016 issue of National Geographic, "DNA Revolution", It discussed how to alter human, food, and mosquitos DNA could help change this world for the better.

Anthony James at the University of California has used the technique called CRISPR to edit the gene the larvae carry so it cannot transmit the malaria parasite. This is obviously an amazing positive to editing DNA.

"This is remarkable technology, with many great uses. But if you are going to do anything as fateful as rewriting the germ line, you'd better be able to tell me there is a strong reason to do it"(Eric Lander, director of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, pg 40)

He further speaks about how society has made the decision to do this. Making a world without muscular dystrophy and mosquitos that are resistant to Zika is amazing, but I have to agree that society needs to be on the same page when it comes to who can use it, and how far we should take it.

CRISPR is as simple as cutting out or adding to a gene. Transforming food was talked about in the article, making "hardier crops" would be very useful. It can be used to rid pig organs of viruses so they can be viable for a human organ transplant.

This new technology can do so many amazing things for this world but will it end up in the wrong hands? How far will we take editing human DNA? And will society have a say in any of the future research?

I leave you with these questions because we have all thought of how much will change in the next 50 years.

Mia Mason