Gene Editing & CRISPR: How Far Should We Go?

In late 2018, a Chinese researcher revealed that he created the first ever genetically edited babies. He altered the DNA of twin girls before they were born. In response, the world kind of went nuts, raising a HUGE bioethical question. When is gene editing OK? How far is too far when altering life itself?

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* What, exactly, are genes? *
Genes are kind of like the instructions for life. All living things have them. They determine most of your physical traits, like the color of your eyes, whether your hair is curly or straight, the density of your bones, even how your heart responds to exercise.

* What is CRISPR *
CRISPR stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. It’s one of the BIGGEST scientific breakthroughs in DECADES. It’s a gene editing tool that can target specific genes, allowing scientists to make precise edits much like a software engineer modifies code. It can cut out a gene. It can modify a gene. It can add in an entirely NEW gene.

* What are the potential benefits of CRISPR? *
If CRISPR delivers even a FRACTION of what’s been promised, it could be be a game changer in how we fight diseases. It could cure diseases caused by single gene mutations, like sickle cell anemia. It could also help prevent infectious diseases. If germ-line cells are altered, genetic changes can can be passed down to future offspring.

* What are the potential pitfalls of CRISPR? *
Scientists have recently learned that CRISPR has the potential to wipe out or rearrange large chunks of DNA, which could do anything from turning off the wrong genes to triggering some forms of cancer. It’s also possible that in the future, the rich and powerful can shell out the big bucks to customize their kids, protecting them from a bunch of diseases, reducing their risk for anxiety and depression, and maybe giving them a height and IQ boost. Meanwhile, the rest of us might only be able to afford a more limited amount of gene changes, if any.

SOURCES:
Chinese researcher claims birth of first gene-edited babies

What is gene editing?

A simple guide to CRISPR

Perspectives on gene editing

CRISPR may lead DNA deletion and rearrangement

Using CRISPR for de-extinction

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[AboveTheNoise]

What do you think -- when is gene editing OK? How far is too far when altering life itself? Let us know in the comments below! And as always, friends, please keep your discourse civil. 😎

[flimsyfox]

0:24 Perfect! My biology class literally just finished Gattaca today!

Edit: I would say go all the way, but *it has to be done right.* If genetic engineering becomes widely available, then governments need to be willing and able to give genetic services to all people who can't afford it, for example.

[omarleonleon]

Great Video, no matter if we think is dangerous or wonderful we must study, to know more of genes and CRISP

[krabkit]

my biggest problem with the chinese researchers experiment was that it was largely unnecessary. they were not at a heightened risk of HIV and are not likely to have gotten it in their lifetimes, instead i woudl have liked to have seen something like trying to cure one of the single gene mutations mentioned in the video. if you are going to skirt all ethical guidelines you might as well at least try to do something measurably worthwhile

[cestlavegan]

Opinions are so complicated. Great ethical and scientific arguments on both sides. Shout out to Jeff Goldblum.

[MalaysianTropikfusion]

Your parting statement is the premise of Bioshock.
Darn it, I miss that game.

[aberrantartist]

I think it’s ok to delete genes that cause disease, but I don’t think it’s ok to change thing that alter appearance

[EdwardThimbleHands]

2:30, you really should have mentioned that we already use animal parts as partial tissue replacements. I have had part of my eardrum replaced and my grandmother has a heart valve from a pig, both without genetic modification. Knowing the current state of the field and why we need to alter genetics to make donor tissue more compatible would have helped.

[patrickpeters]

The deafness/dwarfism thing kind of makes me think of eugenics

[cherrylk]

Fun Fact that no one cares about: My sister has actually done extensive research on the topic and has given presentations about CRISPR. It was crazy to have some of the stuff y'all talk about be things I've also heard her talk about. I distinctly remember her telling me about the Wooly Mammoth and elephants and how excited she was about it.

[chrisdouglas]

Hi there, long time subscriber, first time commenter. I think this video really failed to point out how dangerous and reckless the experiment done by these Chinese researchers was. Really, there was absolutely no reason to point out their work as a feat of science in this video. They used a poorly understood technology developed by other brilliant scientists in a highly ethically dubious way without any real novelty. They have been condemned by scientists worldwide for good reason, and absolutely do not deserve to be heralded as revolutionary scientists.

[Dubdoobieee]

I mean it can’t be worse than people with genetic conditions and mutations having children who inherit those conditions or mutations.

[sandrajackson]

Sorry if it offends anyone but if there is anyway I can help it my child would not be deaf, a dwarf, or have ADD.

[UniversalEntropyy]

there's some smart-a$$ people on the comments

[donnie]

can you imagine people working really hard their whole lives so that they can afford “better” genes for their future kids freakyyy 😱

[lkfqzce]

It's good to use gene editing to curegenitic genitc diseases that had no cure before. But it should be safe for his life.atleast he or she can have a happy life. Offsprings are not that important for the patient than his own life. There will be a solution for every problem. So for treatment it should proceed at a high speed because patients are eagerly waiting for gene editing after a long unhappy life.

[chuck]

People of wealth will pay to insure their child gets the best.

[nehadjm]

Great intro
For me, I can't see where the problem is in it, so I think it's okay.

[wafflezoof]

I will be happy for crispr to improve as far as it can like for 1% to 25% but when it hits 26% if people start stop beliving god, I wont be happy with it.

[zensation]

Watching this in 2021, I believe CRISPR might be something of a daily use especially with how it's going rn. Idk