Gene editing !

     Technology has grown to an extent where we can replace any part of a gene and manipulate the overall characteristics of an individual. It can be used to treat many diseases which are inherited from previous generations. But are we affecting the nature's order by manipulating the gene?

    DeoxyRibose Nucleic Acid(DNA) are carriers of hereditary. They carry the traits of our ancestors and are a proof of human evolution. The whole DNA is made up of amino acids which combines in a specific combination with hydrogen bonds. Adenosine combines with Thiamine and Guanine combines with Cytosine. A part of the DNA forms a gene. CRISPER technology using CAS9 enzyme is the latest tool which can be used as a molecular scissor. The unwanted part of the gene is first identified using the RNA sequence and then it is replaced with a new desirable sequence.

    This is a great breakthrough in Genome research. With this, there is a possibility of curing many diseases like cancer from the root. But, the effects of manipulation of gene on the body in the long run is unknown. What if it leads to mutation and forms another type of cancer? What if this technique is used to produce designer babies. For example, parents who admire cricket might want their children to be like Virat Kohli. What if the genes are used to create babies with specified set of talents? Will this not make us lose our diversity? If we start losing our diversity, then there might be a threat for the survival of human race !

    One more area of gene editing is on the ethical front. When we decide that a particular trait is good and the other is not, we are talking in absolute terms. There is no such thing as absolute truth or absolute false. It's all relative with respect to time, space and person. If this is the case, who are we to judge what is right and what is wrong? How many years have we stayed and understood our own evolution to judge which trait is needed?

    We know that nature is sustained in complex ways. The link between each element in the nature are subtle, and disturbing one might lead to a series of disturbances to follow. What if the defective gene in humans were a part of this subtle balance?  If so, then manipulating this might change the causal nature and can lead to other unintended consequences. Nature has its own way of responding. It might be in the form of climate change or flood or drought or virus or something else.  Moving forward, we should tread carefully when we are dealing with nature, otherwise our survival will be at stake.