Christina Galbraith - CRISPR

 Shepard's reflection that we'll have the ability to create our own species in the lab reminded me of a discussion on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). CRISPR is a technology that is used to edit genes and will likely change the world. Simply put, CRISPR is a way of finding a specific bit of DNA inside a cell. After that, the next step is usually to alter that piece of DNA. Currently CRISPR is being used to edit genetic codes to treat genetic diseases such as Parkinson's and Down's Syndrome. However, there is a possibility that the technology will become commercialized.
I see the value in using CRISPR to wipe out disorders and diseases, but I have a few concerns: the human population will continue to grow and nature (disease/virus) will no longer be a method of controlling our numbers. This situation gives rise to problems of overpopulation which could then introduce more environmental concerns as well as raising further ethical issues about how and if the human population should be controlled artificially. If CRISPR use becomes commercialized there is a risk that it will be used similarly to cosmetic surgery, to create perfected individuals dependent upon societal standards rather than what the environment requires. This situation raises concerns of what the long-term implications of CRISPR use will be. Will evolution and adaptation be relevant anymore? If the human genome becomes forever changed, who is to say that another genetic disease will not be created that is harder to edit out of our DNA? I support using CRISPR technology to treat diseases such as Huntington’s and cancer that are a scourge, but great care and respect should be taken. I feel trepidation at the idea of CRISPR being used to create “the perfect human.” Having ultimate control over our genome will set us further apart from nature.

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