CRISPR: What will humanity create? | Jennifer Doudna

CRISPR’s gene drive can defy evolution. Here’s how, explained by Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna.

The gene-editing tool CRISPR is proving that the ideas in "Jurassic Park" might not be as far-fetched as they once seemed. Sure, scientists probably won't ever be able to resurrect the T. rex. But gene-editing tools will likely make it possible to introduce new genes into existing genomes, allowing us to effectively create animals with traits that have been lost to extinction.

Other potential CRISPR applications center on reducing disease. Experiments have already shown that gene drives can very quickly introduce and spread new traits within fruit fly populations, suggesting that it could soon be possible to change or eliminate traits within certain types of disease-carrying insects.

The flip side? Scientists might inadvertently create new problems along the way. CRISPR co-creator Jennifer Doudna explains more in this Big Think interview.

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[MicahScottPnD]

Wow, am I glad there are a lot of good minds working on these complex questions. And Im glad i know how to find them - at The Well ❤

[marvin]

Simply mind-blowing! Thanks for making such a beautiful and intriguing research!

[ashes_]

So... You can't make a T-Rex then... Or any animal that extinct 65 million years ago... Damn you click bait

[camping-shrink]

Very interesting. You know! I mean you say "you know" quite frequently. Nevertheless, I enjoyed your talk. Thank you.

[Edward-br]

She IS NOT saying it... It can be used on people. You decide if it has been.

[MS-odje]

Precisely what I suggested to gates regarding mosquitoes several years ago.
Poof then he did it

[johnnydez]

Where is the mercy comet? Please come put us out of our sickness and misery

[jamesJohnson-qegw]

What will our creations create... you fools

[zchularoceribfjan]

Our next stop:
Self-creating synthetic cyborgs, i.e., androgynous self-replicators forming a global conscious network 🤩.

Take CRISPR to the next levelll 😁😁✈️🏄🏻‍♀️!!!