▲ Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna, Nobel Prize winners in the chemistry section

At the end of 2020, several experts in their fields took the honor of the 2020 Novel Prize. Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna were awarded in the chemistry section for the achievement of discovering the CRISPR-Cas9. CRISPR-Cas9 is one of the genetic scissors, which is used in modifying the organization of genes. The vaccine for the COVID-19 also exploited this technology.

▲ editing genes for healthier lives

CRISPER-Cas9 can be utilized in numerous ways. For one example, it can help humans to live healthier lives. When the virus attacks bacteria, the bacteria memorize the pattern of the virus. If the virus comes once more, they cut off the virus by scissors. CRISPER-Cas9 edits this trait of bacteria and helps human beings to strengthen immunity. Besides, it can predict illnesses like cancer and prevent them from occurring. It reads the patterns of individual DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and detects future illnesses written on it.

▲ coding genes of babies to perfectly fit parents` preferences

However, a lot of experts acclaim that genetic scissors can be abused. Due to the given ability to manipulate the code of DNA, people can make superhumans. Some might even change the code of the baby to perfectly fit their preferences. These can lead to ethical problems. In the case of China, He Jiankui edited the DNA of embryos illegally even before they are born. The Chinese government condemned him for three years in jail. Moreover, eugenics can prevail with this technology. Some kinds of humans can be discriminated against the manipulated, purified humans.

As every magnificent technology had to deal with, CRISPR-Cas9 can lead to a terrifying future. Jennifer A.Doudna, who invented CRISPR-Cas9, had also realized the danger of the technology. She asserted that knowing the danger is the most important thing to minimize the misuse of it. Every scientist should predict the ways of abuse and leave no room for them to happen.

April 11th, 2021 by Yang Ye Won