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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock iStock
0 / 30 Fotos
What is it?
- Gene editing is the method of making precise and efficient changes to the DNA of a cell or organism.
© iStock
1 / 30 Fotos
Gene cutting
- The cuts are made at specific DNA sequences using enzymes.
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Gene cutting
- These enzymes are known as "engineered nucleases."
© iStock
3 / 30 Fotos
DNA
- Gene editing can be used to either alter, remove, or add DNA to the genome.
© iStock
4 / 30 Fotos
DNA
- By applying the gene editing technique, the characteristics of the cell or organism are subject to change.
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
What is it used for?
- Gene editing can be used for research purposes, so scientists can change the DNA in cells or organisms and understand how they work.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- Gene editing can be used to treat diseases such as leukemia and AIDS.
© iStock
7 / 30 Fotos
Genetic conditions
- The process has the potential to treat other infections and simple genetic conditions.
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
Agriculture
- It can also be used in agriculture, as a way to modify crops and improve resistance and production.
© iStock
9 / 30 Fotos
Agriculture
- Gene editing has also been used to create hornless cattle.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
Repair process
- After the engineered nuclease enzyme cuts the DNA, the cell automatically repairs the cut.
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Changes
- By interfering in the repair process, it is possible to make changes to that specific bit of DNA.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
'Rampage'
- Gene editing has been the focal point of many discussions after the release of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's new movie 'Rampage.'
© NL Beeld
13 / 30 Fotos
'Rampage'
- In the film, weaponized gene editing causes an albino gorilla, a wolf, and an alligator, to spontaneously grow to massive proportions.
© NL Beeld
14 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- The technology used in the movie is called CRISPR, a gene editing technique that has rocked the genetic manipulation field.
© iStock
15 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- Scientists first noticed they could modify a cell's genome in the '90s, when they observed how certain bacteria managed to fight infections.
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- When a bacteria encountered a new viral infection, they would incorporate sections of the viral DNA into their own genetic code.
© iStock
17 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- In doing this, they could then easily identify and fight off the virus when they came across it again.
© iStock
18 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- Scientists realized they could mimic this system economically and efficiently in any genetic code, giving birth to CRISPR.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- Although this technology is cutting edge, we don’t actually have to worry about monsters (just yet!).
© BrunoPress
20 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- CRISPR researchers' main goal now is to "correct" deficiencies, as reported by Business Insider.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Designer babies
- In August 2017, scientists managed to successfully alter the DNA of human embryos for the first time, targeting a mutating gene.
© iStock
22 / 30 Fotos
Designer babies
- As published by Nature, the mutating gene was linked to a heart condition that can cause sudden cardiac arrest.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Designer babies
- Although it may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, the quest for the so-called "designer baby" is real, and has become a concern for many.
© iStock
24 / 30 Fotos
Designer babies
- Most CRISPR scientists tend to distance themselves from the idea of producing "super-humans"—people with higher levels of intelligence or enhanced athletic abilities.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Organ donation
- Last year, scientists were also working on modifying pig DNA to make their organs safe for use in humans.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Potential
- CRISPR has the potential to save lives and even engineer foods that will support the world's increasing population.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Toolkit
- CRISPR’s popularity is also due to how cheap the technology is—anybody can purchase a CRISPR toolkit for less than US$50.
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
Promising
- CRISPR is now being hailed as one of the most promising technologies, and was even voted Science magazine's Breakthrough of The Year in 2015.
© iStock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock iStock
0 / 30 Fotos
What is it?
- Gene editing is the method of making precise and efficient changes to the DNA of a cell or organism.
© iStock
1 / 30 Fotos
Gene cutting
- The cuts are made at specific DNA sequences using enzymes.
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Gene cutting
- These enzymes are known as "engineered nucleases."
© iStock
3 / 30 Fotos
DNA
- Gene editing can be used to either alter, remove, or add DNA to the genome.
© iStock
4 / 30 Fotos
DNA
- By applying the gene editing technique, the characteristics of the cell or organism are subject to change.
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
What is it used for?
- Gene editing can be used for research purposes, so scientists can change the DNA in cells or organisms and understand how they work.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- Gene editing can be used to treat diseases such as leukemia and AIDS.
© iStock
7 / 30 Fotos
Genetic conditions
- The process has the potential to treat other infections and simple genetic conditions.
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
Agriculture
- It can also be used in agriculture, as a way to modify crops and improve resistance and production.
© iStock
9 / 30 Fotos
Agriculture
- Gene editing has also been used to create hornless cattle.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
Repair process
- After the engineered nuclease enzyme cuts the DNA, the cell automatically repairs the cut.
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Changes
- By interfering in the repair process, it is possible to make changes to that specific bit of DNA.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
'Rampage'
- Gene editing has been the focal point of many discussions after the release of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's new movie 'Rampage.'
© NL Beeld
13 / 30 Fotos
'Rampage'
- In the film, weaponized gene editing causes an albino gorilla, a wolf, and an alligator, to spontaneously grow to massive proportions.
© NL Beeld
14 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- The technology used in the movie is called CRISPR, a gene editing technique that has rocked the genetic manipulation field.
© iStock
15 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- Scientists first noticed they could modify a cell's genome in the '90s, when they observed how certain bacteria managed to fight infections.
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- When a bacteria encountered a new viral infection, they would incorporate sections of the viral DNA into their own genetic code.
© iStock
17 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- In doing this, they could then easily identify and fight off the virus when they came across it again.
© iStock
18 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- Scientists realized they could mimic this system economically and efficiently in any genetic code, giving birth to CRISPR.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- Although this technology is cutting edge, we don’t actually have to worry about monsters (just yet!).
© BrunoPress
20 / 30 Fotos
CRISPR
- CRISPR researchers' main goal now is to "correct" deficiencies, as reported by Business Insider.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Designer babies
- In August 2017, scientists managed to successfully alter the DNA of human embryos for the first time, targeting a mutating gene.
© iStock
22 / 30 Fotos
Designer babies
- As published by Nature, the mutating gene was linked to a heart condition that can cause sudden cardiac arrest.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Designer babies
- Although it may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, the quest for the so-called "designer baby" is real, and has become a concern for many.
© iStock
24 / 30 Fotos
Designer babies
- Most CRISPR scientists tend to distance themselves from the idea of producing "super-humans"—people with higher levels of intelligence or enhanced athletic abilities.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Organ donation
- Last year, scientists were also working on modifying pig DNA to make their organs safe for use in humans.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Potential
- CRISPR has the potential to save lives and even engineer foods that will support the world's increasing population.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Toolkit
- CRISPR’s popularity is also due to how cheap the technology is—anybody can purchase a CRISPR toolkit for less than US$50.
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
Promising
- CRISPR is now being hailed as one of the most promising technologies, and was even voted Science magazine's Breakthrough of The Year in 2015.
© iStock
29 / 30 Fotos
The gene editing debate: should we alter our children's DNA?
Genome editing is revolutionizing the scientific world
© Shutterstock
Lately, gene editing has been at the forefront of science's most exciting breakthroughs. This DNA-altering technique could be used to eradicate diseases and improve agricultural production, but some fear this might spark the quest for "designer babies."
So what exactly is genome editing and how does it work? Learn more in the following gallery.
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