Will genetic engineering change everything?

Imagine being in the 1980s, being told that computers would soon dominate everything – from shopping to dating and the stock market. Billions are connected through the web, owning handheld devices more powerful than supercomputers. It sounded absurd, but it all happened. Science fiction became our reality, seamlessly integrated into our lives. Today, we stand at a similar juncture with genetic engineering. Let's delve into its origins, current practices, and a groundbreaking discovery poised to redefine our existence.

Throughout history, humans honed the art of life engineering via selective breeding, fortifying desirable traits in flora and fauna. Despite success, the underlying mechanism remained a mystery until the revelation of Deoxyribonucleic Acid—DNA. This complex molecule orchestrates the existence of all living things, encoding vital information within its structure. Comprising four nucleotides forming a code, DNA's instructions dictate an organism's essence. The quest to manipulate DNA commenced in the 1960s, as scientists bombarded plants with radiation, inducing random genetic mutations for serendipitous enhancements. In the 70s, DNA snippets were inserted into bacteria, plants, and animals, unlocking possibilities in research, medicine, and agriculture.

The 1980s witnessed commercial strides, exemplified by the first patent for a microbe engineered to absorb oil. Engineered life revolutionized chemical production, yielding vital substances like clotting factors, growth hormones, and insulin. The Flavor Savor tomato, introduced in 1994, showcased the first lab-modified food, boasting an extended shelf life. Human engineering briefly ventured into treating maternal infertility in the 1990s, introducing babies with genetic information from three parents. Fast forward to the present, where the CRISPR technology heralds a paradigm shift. This revolutionary gene-editing tool, entering the stage in recent times, drastically reduces costs and complexity, enabling rapid experiments accessible to laboratories worldwide. The potential of CRISPR to reshape humanity is colossal, representing a transformative technological leap with far-reaching implications

Bacteria and viruses have engaged in an ancient struggle for survival. Bacteriophages, or phages, act as bacterial hunters, causing a daily demise of 40% in the ocean. Phages achieve this by infiltrating bacteria, commandeering them as genetic factories. Though bacteria often succumb due to their weak defense mechanisms, some manage to survive and activate a powerful antivirus system: CRISPR. In this DNA archive, a segment of the virus DNA is safeguarded until needed. When a viral attack occurs, the bacterium swiftly generates an RNA copy, arming a secret weapon—the precise protein CAS9. CAS9 scrutinizes the bacterium's interior, comparing DNA snippets to the stored archive. Upon finding a perfect match, CAS9 activates, excising the virus DNA, rendering it ineffective and shielding the bacterium.CAS9's precision, akin to a DNA surgeon, sparked a revolution when scientists realized the programmable nature of the CRISPR system. This breakthrough transformed genetic manipulation from a map to a GPS. Beyond precision, CRISPR is cost-effective and user-friendly, allowing live cell editing, gene manipulation, and targeted DNA sequence study across various organisms. Despite its revolutionary impact on science, CRISPR remains a first-generation tool, with ongoing efforts to develop more precise and advanced genetic editing tools.

In 2015, a groundbreaking achievement demonstrated CRISPR's potential in HIV treatment. Scientists successfully excised HIV from living cells in the lab, marking a pivotal moment in genetic therapy. Subsequently, a large-scale project involving rats, infected with HIV throughout their body cells, showcased CRISPR's efficacy. By injecting CRISPR into the rats' tails, over 50% of the virus was eradicated from cells throughout their bodies. The future holds promising prospects for CRISPR therapy, potentially curing not only HIV but also other retroviruses like Herpes that lurk within human DNA.

Beyond viral infections, CRISPR emerges as a powerful weapon against cancer. By editing immune cells, CRISPR enables enhanced cancer detection and elimination. Clinical trials for CRISPR-based cancer treatments began in 2016, with the U.S. approving the first trial, followed by Chinese scientists treating lung cancer patients using CRISPR-modified immune cells.

Moreover, CRISPR's potential extends to genetic diseases, addressing over 3,000 conditions stemming from single-letter DNA errors. Modified versions of CRISPR tools, like CAS9, are being developed to correct these errors at the cellular level, offering the prospect of curing numerous diseases within a decade or two. However, ethical considerations arise, as CRISPR applications on reproductive cells or early embryos could lead to irreversible changes in the human gene pool, including the creation of designer babies. The capability to edit the genome of a human embryo is already within our grasp, although the technology is in its early stages, as evidenced by two attempts by Chinese scientists in 2015 and 2016. While these endeavors faced significant challenges, they underscore the ongoing efforts to address the complexities of gene editing in embryos, akin to the early days of computing.

Genetic engineering, regardless of personal opinions, will inevitably impact society. Engineered humans, transmitting modified traits to their offspring, could gradually reshape the entire human gene pool. Initially, the focus may be on addressing deadly genetic diseases, leading to the creation of the first designer babies. As technology advances, ethical debates may arise, questioning the use of genetic modification to prevent suffering and death. The potential extends beyond health, delving into addressing the aging process. Genetic engineering, combined with other therapies, might offer solutions to slow down or even reverse aging. Challenges abound, and skepticism exists, but there's a prospect that today's generation might benefit from effective anti-aging therapies.

On a broader scale, a modified population could tackle issues like obesity and diseases with an engineered immune system. Looking further into the future, genetic engineering might equip humans for extended space travel, contributing to our survival in a hostile universe. Yet, ethical and technological challenges persist, including concerns about creating a world that rejects non-perfect humans. While fears of misuse exist, banning genetic editing would risk research going underground. Active participation ensures that further advancements are guided by caution, reason, oversight, and transparency, striking a balance between progress and ethical considerations...

Reflecting on discomfort? Many individuals bear imperfections. Considering the imminent future, would our existence be sanctioned? While the technology is daunting, the potential benefits of genetic engineering mark a potential stride in the evolution of intelligent species in the cosmos. Disease eradication and the prospect of extending life by centuries, venturing into the stars, beckon. Let's not limit our thoughts on this matter. Regardless of personal stances on genetic engineering, the inexorable future looms. What was once fantastical fiction is on the cusp of transforming into our tangible reality—a realm teeming with opportunities and challenges.