What Is CRISPR?

CRISPR stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. This technology will now allow for DNA to be edited almost as easily as using a word processor. How does it work? A strand of RNA guides a CAS-9 protein to a targeted spot on the DNA. The DNA strands get precisely cut and the new sequence is added to the cell.

Original Program Date: June 3 2016

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[ToxisLT]

I hope we, as humanity, are mature and careful enough for this kind of breakthrough.

[keithdurant]

Incredible technology that could alter our lifestyle in ways we may not foresee...but scary as hell in the hands of eugenicists.

[juventini]

I think this is so huge words can't start to describe it!

[andrewthecelt]

The only thing in my CRISPR is some moldy tangerines and a puddle of goo that I think was once a lettuce.

[exilfromsanity]

Crisper is a drawer at the bottom of the refrigerator.

[MichaelSHartman]

Thank you for this intriguing informative video. I am interested if the changes can be made in adults or post birth, or if it is isolated to near conception. Also if a person treated will carry the change to future generations. If the change becomes unwanted or needs to be temporarily stopped, can the change be turned off, or even removed.

The potential is great in both directions. Its use might be compared to the elimination of polio and smallpox. There is the danger of lasting unforeseen consequences, including social attitudes and policy. I think comparing it to the splitting of the atom with all the negative connotations is playing on an already existing fear and turning people against it before it can get a start. Like seeing a computer win at a board game and declaring Skynet is about to take over.

[jamescalleja]

they should start on cows that don't produce methane, that would be huge.

[hukelburryful]

i hope so. but i think we must move forward. or stumble forward.

[edmondcohen]

We are on our way to discover that all boils down to IN-formation (i.e. being formed, being created from 0 to 01, when we survive to get along.)

[KristinMatranga-Bettencourtt]

Hoping iit is used responsibly. I think there should be more regulation . However, I can also see how this technology could possibly save humanity as a whole. So, it needs to be used wisely.

[aryotaheri]

I guess GATTACA won't be considered sci-fi anymore, in a few years

[TheMoneypresident]

I thought it was a drawer in the fridge.

[sadochrist]

This can be used to alter an adults genes? That's pretty amazing.

[MrKewlhanz]

ever hear of the umbrella corperation?!

[sanjurohanamizuki]

nothing like playing with mescaline producing cacti in the lab lmao

[rai]

ahh I'd like to place an order for some pterodactyl wing genes

[tinysun]

aldous huxley predicted this in 1932. 1932 PEOPLE

[daddyleon]

Fabulous!!!I guess this means we could actually start working on making irl Weirwood trees??

[grigorirasputin]

the brave new world, aldous Huxley...

[charlesbrightman]

Who needs artificial intelligence when we can recreate a brain? And why stop at just one brain? Many brains interconnected, a whole matrix of brains, and advanced brains at that too.

And food for the growing world's population. Not just genetically modified food, but genetically created food.

Basically infinite possibilities.

Conscious entities have basic choices:
Help, Neutral, Hurt, and to whom to Help, Neutral, Hurt.

Exactly what kind of future do we want to exist in while we do exist?
Exactly to whom do we Help, Neutral, Hurt?