CRISPR Gene Editing: A Revolutionary Tool for Disease Treatment

Introduction 

• Another innovation is how scientists are able to edit the genes much more effectively and precisely than before is CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) gene editing. 
• In this respect, this tool has been equally endowed with the potential to revolutionise the management of genetic diseases. 

Description

• The application of CRISPR is by a small RNA that acts as a guide, then the RNA finds a certain DNA sequence before it carries out the task of cutting a DNA chain at that area. 
• This leads to nick in both the strands of the DNA, and what the cell tries to mend is the double helix break. 
• It allows scientists to suggest how the repair is to be done, this implies that changes can be made on the gene, thus arriving at what is referred to as gene editing.CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)

Significance

• It had been ascertained that the use of CRISPR could offer resolutions to various kinds of genetic disorders like sickle cell anaemia and cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. 
• It can also apply in development of new treatments to cancers and in enhancement of productivity of crops. 

 Pros

• Accuracy and time efficient generated report 
• Strength of positively affecting a large number of genetic disorders. 
• May lead to development of new cancer treatment procedures and the improved yield of crops. 

 Cons

• Off-target effects which are the mutation of the DNA region other than the one to which the RNA molecule is designed to bind. 
• Mosaicism is another disadvantage where some of the cells might not have been edited. 
• Social and Ethical Issue (s) (for instance; germline editing) 

Challenges

• Thus, if further improvement of the efficacy of interaction is aimed and the worsening of such outcomes when interacting with similar motives is to be better prevented. 
• Addressing ethical concerns 
• It has to be easily accessible and brought closer to the reach of clients. 

Conclusion

• CRISPR gene editing is a very beneficial method that may be the cure to or a major step towards the defeat of diseases. Nevertheless, this also raises a few ethical and technical issues which cannot be turned a blind eye to.

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