CRISPR and GMO

10: Medical Biotechnology

What is Gene Therapy

A traditional method that involves replacing a faulty gene with a functional copy.

What is the Cas-9 Nuclease

An enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific location, allowing for gene editing.

What is Guide RNA (gRNA)

Single-stranded RNA that directs the Cas-9 nucleases to the target DNA.

What is a Gene 'knock-in'

A type of gene editing where a new DNA segment is inserted into a faulty gene to restore function.

What is a Gene 'knock-out'

A technique to silence a gene by creating mutations that render it non-functional.

What are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms whose genomes have been altered through genetic engineering.

What are Transgenic Organisms

GMOs that contain DNA from a different species.

What is PAM (Protospacer Adjacent Motif)

A short DNA sequence required for Cas-9 to identify where to cut.

What is a Frameshift Mutation

A genetic mutation caused by insertion or deletion of bases, altering the reading frame.

What are the ethical implications of CRISPR gene editing?

CRISPR gene editing raises several ethical concerns, including the potential for unintended consequences, ethical concerns regarding genetic modification in humans, environmental impact, and the possibility of exacerbating social inequalities.

What are the strengths of CRISPR gene editing?

Ability to potentially cure genetic diseases, enhance crop resilience, and provide solutions for food security.