Many of you have probably used the popular social media app Snapchat, where you've created a Bitmoji. You most likely tried to make the Bitmoji look as similar to yourself as possible by choosing your hair style, eye color, and even a similar build. As seen in Figure 1, you are given several options to choose from to make the Bitmoji's traits suit yours. Imagine if choosing the traits of a real person were as easy as creating a Bitmoji. You could pick their bone structure, hair color, and maybe even intelligence. That is exactly what gene editing allows us to do.Genes are sections of our DNA that carry information determining our traits (1). Genes decide things like your hair being curly and whether you are short or tall. Basically, genes make you who you are and scientists have found a way to change them!
Changing Genes
Figure 2: Wreck it Ralph
Genes are a complicated part of every person, so how is it possible to change them the way we want? Scientist have been working hard on a new technology called CRISPR-Cas9. CRISPR-Cas9 is actually a bacteria used to defend our bodies that can target and destroy unwanted genes (2). Scientists can then replace or fix the destroyed gene to change traits and characteristics (2). An easy way to understand the process is through the movie Wreck it Ralph as seen in Figure 2. In the movie, Ralph runs around destroying buildings and other parts of the town. Ralph is like CRISPR-Cas9 which destroys a gene. Not far behind is Fix it Felix with his golden hammer to repair the damage left by Ralph. Felix is like the scientists that fix or replace the damaged gene. The CRISPR-Cas9 technology basically destroys then replaces or fixes genes to change a person's traits. But don't get too excited because the technology hasn't been used on humans yet. So far it has only been tested on animals such as monkeys and only works about 5% of the time (3). With such a low success rate, there is too much risk to use it on humans at the moment. What matters is that the potential to change human genes is right in front of us. It is only a matter of time. Why Edit Genes?
Figure 3: Editing Genetic Material
When creating a Bitmoji, you often change outward traits such as hair color or nose shape. Why would scientists be so keen on being able to change a person's appearance? Most scientists working with genes are more focused on improving human health than anything else. Gene editing means that genes containing diseases or disorders can be removed altogether (3). Imagine scientists being able to locate a harmful gene and using CRISPR-Cas9 to destroy or remove it (Figure 3). Diseases such as cancer that have plagued families through generations would be eliminated. This would mean improved health for people everywhere! Designer babies does not simply mean changing genes to make a person more attractive, but possibly making the entire human species healthier.
What Does This Mean?
Scientists are well on their way to making designer babies a reality. With CRISPR-Cas9 technology, we can change a lot more than eye color and body shape like we are used to when making a Bitmoji. Humans could be much healthier than we are now if we removed genetic diseases. Overall, gene editing has opened a tremendous amount of doors with endless possibilities. Whether you want to improve health or design someone to look a certain way, gene editing is the ticket. If you want to learn more about gene editing or just need more clarification, watch this video:
References
(2) Das,
J., Dey, P., & Banerjee, P. (2017). Redesigning nature: To be or not to be. Current Science, 112 (7), 1346-1350.
doi: 10.18520/cs/v112/i07/1346-1350
Design your avatar (2017). [Graphic image]. Retrieved from https://beebom.com/how-make-your-own-emoji/
Fox, M. (2017). Genetic manipulation and DNA modification [Graphic image]. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-gene-editing-systems-are-more-precise-n814446
(1) Narcisa, V. L. (2014). What is a gene. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/what-is-gene.html
(3) Regalado,
A. (2015, May). Engineering the perfect baby.
MIT Technology Review, 118 (3), 26-33. Retrieved from
http://www.technologyreview.com/ The Royal Society (2016). What is gene editing and how does it work [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPDb8tqgfjY
Wreck it ralph (2012). [Graphic image]. Retrieved from http://www.crescentavalleyweekly.com/leisure/11/08/2012/wreck-it-ralph-destined-to-be-a-classic/
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