China
has unlocked a gate to mutation of Human gene. Chinese Scientist He Jiankui
has used CRISPR CAS9 technology to modify Human DNA. However, the cause
for this development was very noble – Twin child in womb were infected by HIV
virus, as the father of those kids was infected by HIV. The Scientist has disabled a gene called CCR5 so the girls
might be resistant to potential infection with HIV/AIDS. As claimed by the scientist He Jiankui, the
experiment of Gene-editing is successful and life of both the kids are
safe now.
Then
where is the controversy?
The Scientist (He Jiankui) created
the world’s first babies genetically edited with CRISPR technology: a set of
twin girls, with a third potential CRISPR baby on the way. But many
scientists, all around the globe (even in China), believes that CRISPR isn’t
yet safe and precise enough to be used in human embryos. The Scientist
community has even imposed tough norms over usage of CRISPR CAS9 on human
beings. It is a blow to academic ethics and codes of conduct of medical
research fraternity.
Since the He Jiankui’s appearance at
the summit, he has not been seen. Is He Jiankui missing?
He Jiankui edits out a disease that’s
now highly treatable by using a potentially dangerous and unproven technique. It
has many potential threats, and only few of them could be stated hereunder:
1. Now if the babies are immune from HIV, will it not
have any side effect on them, as the disabled gene CCR5 also cure flu in Human body.
2. If a scientist can smash through norms and meddle
with the human gene, the worry is many more dangerous applications of CRISPR
could be in store.
3. Many experiments could be carried out in ways that
threaten human life.
4. The scientist (He Jiankui) could be forced to do
many ill deeds to human race.
5. A whole army of painless human/terrorist – (gene edited) could
be developed…. and many more possibilities exit.
He’s experiment could also be taken
as an initiation to new research and development wing for development of human
race. As we now discussed few cons let’s see some pros.
1. Immunity to various incurable diseases.
2. Development of whole new genetic developed society,
who can even survive on other planets.
What is CRISPR CAS9 Technology?
It is a tool that allows researchers
to control which undesirable genes to delete and replace it with desirable gene.
This is done more quickly, and with more precision, than ever before.
Latest New: China’s National Health
Commission is now launching an investigation into the claims. The hospital
where the babies were allegedly born, Shenzhen Harmonicare Women’s and Children’s
Hospital, is also now distancing itself from He, and the Chinese
government has intervened and halted the research.
It is not healthy to discard technology over conservative approach and also it is highly dangerous to adopt it without knowing it's consequences. CRISPR CAS9 technology could be the next nuclear bomb or IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation).
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