From Science Fiction to Reality: The Reality of Engineering Humans with CRISPR Cas-9

 

The discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 has revolutionized the field of genetics, providing scientists with an unprecedented level of precision and efficiency when it comes to editing the DNA of living organisms. While the technology has already been used to treat genetic diseases in humans, the possibility of using it to engineer humans is a topic of intense debate and controversy. In this article, we will examine the potential benefits and risks of using CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer humans and explore the ethical considerations surrounding this technology.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene-editing tool that allows scientists to precisely cut and alter DNA sequences in living organisms. The technology has already been used successfully to treat genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia and muscular dystrophy. However, the prospect of using CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer humans raises a number of ethical concerns.

On the one hand, the potential benefits of human genetic engineering are significant. CRISPR-Cas9 could be used to eliminate genetic diseases and disorders, such as Huntington's disease or cystic fibrosis, from the human gene pool. It could also be used to enhance certain traits, such as intelligence or athletic ability, in future generations.

However, the risks of human genetic engineering are also significant. For one, there is the risk of unintended consequences. CRISPR-Cas9 is not 100% precise, and there is a risk that unintended mutations could occur as a result of the editing process. These mutations could lead to new genetic diseases or other negative outcomes.

There is also the concern that genetic engineering could be used to create a "designer baby" industry, in which parents pay to have their children engineered to possess certain traits. This could lead to a widening gap between the genetically enhanced and the unenhanced, and could exacerbate existing inequalities in society.

Furthermore, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 in human genetic engineering raises important ethical questions. Who decides which traits are desirable or undesirable? Should we be playing God and manipulating the genetic makeup of future generations? And who gets to benefit from this technology? These are complex questions that require careful consideration.

In conclusion, while the potential benefits of CRISPR-Cas9 in human genetic engineering are significant, so too are the risks and ethical considerations. As a society, we must carefully consider these issues before we rush headlong into using this technology to engineer humans. Only by doing so can we ensure that the use of CRISPR-Cas9 is both safe and ethical, and that it benefits society as a whole rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.

Writer and Editor:Engr.Ali Murad Jokhio

Email ID: engralimurad35@gmail.com