Genome editing
Genome Editing
Genome editing (pronunciation: /ˈdʒiːnoʊm ˈɛdɪtɪŋ/), also known as gene editing, is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism's DNA. These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.
Etymology
The term "genome" was coined by Hans Winkler in 1920, from the words "gene" and "chromosome". The term "editing" in this context, refers to the ability to make changes or corrections, similar to editing a document.
Techniques
Several approaches to genome editing have been developed. A few of these are:
- CRISPR-Cas9: The most common method, which is cheaper, faster, more accurate, and more efficient than other existing genome editing methods.
- Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs): These are proteins that create double-strand breaks at specific locations in the genome.
- Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs): These are restriction enzymes that can be engineered to cut specific sequences of DNA.
Applications
Genome editing is of great interest in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Currently, most research on genome editing is done to understand diseases using cells and animal models. Scientists are still working to determine whether this approach is safe and effective for use in people. It is being explored in research on a wide variety of diseases, including single-gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and sickle cell disease.
Ethical Considerations
Genome editing also raises many ethical challenges. The ability to make changes to the genetic code raises questions about whether it's right to do so, and who gets to decide this. The ethics of genome editing is a topic of ongoing debate.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Genome editing
- Wikipedia's article - Genome editing
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