Essay Sample on The CRISPR Cas-9 Technology

It has become abundantly clear that technology has exceeded the likes of humanity. We have seen some of the greatest achievements from the world’s first smartphone to enhancing the human genome. Now we are creating “Designer babies” with a certain tool called CRISPR CAS-9 (Anderson). CRISPR CAS-9 is one step forward to what our future generation can expect when it comes to the rise of technology. Defining CRISPR in simple terms is a gene-editing technology that constructs modifications to the genome. This type of technology consists of molecular scissors that guide through the genome to target specific DNA strands (Malik). How this technology performs is by a guide RNA matching the targeted gene. Once the guide RNA has located the acquired DNA strand, CAS-9 then makes modifications to the gene. It can be said, while some people fear the advancement of the technology known as CRISPR CAS-9 because of possible mutations and ethical concerns, there exist multiple benefits to learning more about it, like the potential for curing genetic diseases or creating a better and healthier version of yourself. 

Since CRISPR CAS-9 is still in its beginning stages, we observe some risks associated with it, such as the possibility of forming a mutation. It can be said, dabbling with advanced forms of technology such as CRISPR can be extremely dangerous without knowing the long-term effects. According to Kenan Malik, contributing op-ed writer for the International New York Times, and overall proponent of continuing the research for CRISPR CAS-9 mentions that “CRISPR does not cut the genome cleanly but causes considerable damage, and that as the body repairs the damaged new mutations may be introduced.” In retrospect, if you were to extract a bad gene then there’s a possibility for you to form a mutation. Not to mention this sea of change can vary depending on the person. Numerous amounts of people, like Malik, think CRISPR is a terrible idea to keep researching. Ryan T. Anderson, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, has mentioned in his article “Just Because We Can Create Genetically Modified Babies Doesn't Mean We Should” that “Enhancement” of our genetic code can lead to endless consequences. So moving forward with this research could disrupt our well “integrated” system that can have deadly “ramifications” both “physical” and “social” (Anderson).

Now comes the ethical issue of whether or not using this type of technology is considered “unnatural” or shows a “lack of morality” (Anderson). In the article “Ethico-legal aspects of CRISPR Cas-9 genome editing,” Fazli Dayan states that “traditionalists are of the view that man cannot go beyond their limits, and thus they consider human intervention amounts to opening the doors of abomination.”(12) As a society Dayan believes that we all have a moral obligation to keep our judgment clear and corrupt minds’ abyss. Such powerful words indicate that intervening with nature will shatter the principles of human morality. Anderson states that “New biotechnologies” although could “prevent” uncontrollable diseases, have to be “governed by morality.” That being the case, Anderson believes allowing this technology to go any further would be an infringement on the worth of human life. So, ignoring our values for the virtues of science should not be an option to intervene with our dignity (Anderson).

Besides the risks of genome editing, there are many benefits of moving forward with CRISPR, like having the opportunity to treat genetic diseases or any form of illness. Pursuing this further CRISPR will be the key to achieving something great when it comes to the removal of cancer, sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, and many more (Stein). If we were to remove illnesses like cancer, not then to do so would give future generations unwanted agony (Malik). So altering the human genome, although may have consequences, is an “unlikely scenario” (Malik). So much so, even the most complex modifications won’t always have collateral consequences. Moving forward with CRISPR CAS-9 could be life-changing and it would be the most “Ethically Superior” thing to do (Malik). Although Malik has his fair share of risks with CRISPR, he still believes that we should “encourage the practical research and ethical debates” in order to secure the “Welfare of the future person.” 

One benefit of implementing CRISPR CAS-9 would be to give someone the opportunity to live a fulfilled life where there is no chronic pain or worries about future genetic mishaps. Having a way to prevent certain diseases will bring light to countless families who suffer from uncontrollable illnesses. A good example of someone who benefited from CRISPR is Victoria Gray, a mom with sickle cell disease who has been in chronic pain her entire life. As a result of using CRISPR, she now lives a healthy and happy life with the people she loves the most. According to Stein “She hasn't had any severe pain attacks since the treatment and hasn't required any emergency room treatments, hospitalizations or blood transfusions”. While going through the process of applying this technology Gray explains in an NPR interview “We need this right now more than ever, you know? It's a blessing” (Stein).  Hearing her testimony on how much this technology has changed her life is only the beginning of how many people will agree.

Briefly to conclude, CRISPR CAS-9 is a gene-editing technology that has its benefits and risks. Those risks include the possible development of mutations and the rise of ethical concerns, however, the benefits could remove genetic diseases or create a healthier version of yourself. Taking everything into account it’s important for the public or in this case the readers, to understand the foundations of CRISPR CAS-9. It’s extremely important considering this type of technology is revolutionary and future generations will be heavily impacted by it. Although it may seem intimidating to learn about genetic engineering, it can help future generations resolve inadequate issues like the production of nutrient foods or curing chronic illnesses. Learning the importance of CRISPR CAS-9 is a great way to understand where we as a society are heading towards with the development of technology growing every single day.