Scientists have recently discovered a remarkable defense mechanism in bacteria. When these microorganisms are attacked by viruses, they can copy the DNA of the virus. This ability helps them recognize and defend against similar viruses if they encounter them again in the future.
Building on this discovery, researchers developed a technology called CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) for gene editing. This method works by cutting DNA in a precise way and is much cheaper than older gene editing techniques. As a result, more people who are knowledgeable about the subject can use it. CRISPR has shown promise in treating diseases, with successful outcomes in 49 out of 52 patients tested.
An enhanced version of this system can now “lock” specific genes, preventing them from being used. This is especially useful for treating diseases that lead to the production of harmful proteins in the body. While this technology is innovative and offers significant advantages, it is important to note that it is only a temporary solution, even though its effects can last a long time. Overall, CRISPR is expected to play a key role in fighting diseases in the future. This may even be used to create ¨Perfect humans¨ that are immune to almost all of today’s problems in the future.
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https://www.economist.com/technology-quarterly/2025/02/21/gene-editing-has-arrived
https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/06/stanford-explainer-crispr-gene-editing-and-beyond
https://www.jax.org/personalized-medicine/precision-medicine-and-you/what-is-crispr
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