Human gene editing technology and ethical issues behind it [personal view, for reference only]

Human gene editing technology and the ethical issues behind it 【 Personal view , For reference only 】

Abstract

According to geneticist Jennifer · Donna （Jennifer Doudna） stay TED An International Conference on what is called CRISPR-Cas9 Of ” Gene editing technology “ The speech delivered , The following three questions are explained ：

1. What are the advantages and risks of gene editing ？
2. What ethical problems exist in gene editing technology ？
3. Talk about how to solve these ethical problems from your own point of view .

One 、CRISPR-Cas9 What is it? ？

First, let's introduce the concept of genetic engineering ： genetic engineering （ English ：genetic engineering, Also known as genetic engineering 、 transgene 、 gene modification ） It is a kind of direct manipulation of organism genome using biotechnology 、 A technique for altering the genetic material of a cell . It includes gene transfer of the same species and cross species to produce improved or new organisms . Molecular cloning techniques can be used to isolate and replicate the genetic material needed to produce DNA Sequence , Or by synthesis DNA, Then insert the host organism , To insert new genetic material into the host genome .
Jennifer said in this speech , The technology she co invented with her colleagues can be used in genetic engineering , But this breakthrough new technology is different from the existing DNA Sequencing technology ,DNA Replication technology , even to the extent that DNA Modified technology compared to , More efficient , Easier to operate , So use CRISPR The opportunity for technology has dawned .
that CRISPR What is technology ？ What can it do ？ What is the current state of development ？ Jennifer elaborated in this speech ：
CRISPR Technology actually comes from a basic scientific research , Its main purpose is to understand how bacteria fight viral infection . Need to know , Bacteria must be in their own environment to deal with viruses . We can think so , The virus infection is like a time bomb , Bacteria before they are destroyed , Only a few minutes to defuse the bomb . actually , Many bacteria have an adaptive immune system in their cells called “CRISPR” , It enables bacteria to detect viruses DNA And destroy it .
stay CRISPR In the system , There is a kind of call. Cas9 Protein , It can find out in a special way 、 cut , Finally weaken the virus DNA. So their research is mainly to understand Cas9 Protein activity , If you can control its functions , It allows scientists to more accurately delete or insert specific cells DNA fragment , Do what you couldn't have done before .
This is called Cas9 How do proteins destroy viruses in a special way DNA Of . When a virus infects a cell , They insert into the cell what they carry DNA. Once these clips DNA Inserted into bacterial chromosomes , The cell will reproduce a small segment called RNA The molecules of , It's a virus DNA Replica , Can and DNA Molecules of the same sequence react . And in a bacterium , CRISPR System It can be called Cas9 The protein of the virus DNA Pull out , Concrete , First , This protein complex is like a cell guard , It will search all the cells DNA, Find a way to communicate with RNA Sequence binding site DNA, And then copy it out RNA A combination of fragments , namely RNA Fragments and this kind are called Cas9 Protein binding . This is the time ,Cas9 The protein will cut off the virus like a knife DNA. At the end of the process ,CRISPR The system will also transfer a small amount of bacteria DNA Insert into the chromosome . then , These clips DNA Will be passed on to the offspring of the cell , So that several generations of cells will not be infected by the virus . in fact ,CRISPR It is a mechanism that allows cells to record whether they are infected by the virus at any time .
So Jennifer said ：“ We can Cas9 RNA Think of the marker complex as a DNA scissors —— It's in DNA In the spiral structure , Made a kind of " Double helix fracture ". This complex is programmable , After programming, it can be used to Identify specific DNA Sequence , And in DNA Specific location of Make a break .”
We know , The cells themselves have the ability to detect damage DNA, And repair its ability . So when a plant or animal cell is in its DNA When a double helix fracture is detected in , It can repair this fracture . Jennifer's idea was that if there was a way to guide “ Double helix fracture ” Enter with precision DNA, Can Repair these breaks by destroying or incorporating new genetic information to stimulate cells . So if you can program CRISPR technology stay DNA Make a break in , for example , The rupture is made at or near the mutation site of cystic fibrosis , Then you can stimulate the cells to repair the mutation . This is also CRISPR The reason why systems can be used in genome engineering .

Two 、” Gene editing technology “ The advantages and risks of

By analyzing Jennifer's speech CRISPR The principle of Technology , It's not hard to see , This technique can be used to change the DNA, It can cure some genetic diseases . Compared with other biotechnology in genetic engineering ,CRISPR It's simpler , Just use RNA A little clip , You can simply edit it . Jennifer said ： Old genetic engineering techniques It's like every time you install new software , You have to upgrade your computer once , and CRISPR Technology is like software for genomes . So this technological invention , In fact, it is to achieve amazing results in medical treatment , By inducing repair in DNA Double helix fracture occurred in . such as , It can correct sickle cell anemia , Or a mutation that causes Huntington's disease . The speech also mentioned , Scientists in Philadelphia confirmed , They can use CRISPR Technology removes from an infected human cell HIV Viruses ( human immunodeficiency virus ). This is the same. “ Gene editing technology ” The advantages shown , Again , The emergence of a new technology , There will also be some risks . A reporter at the meeting talked about ： About moral considerations , It's basically just a security issue , Scientists will continue to do animal experiments in the laboratory , Once it feels safe , Will be tested in the human body . Many experiments are being carried out on animals , As an experimental model of human disease . Whether there will be side effects when using this technology , It's still to be proved . In my submission , Technical risks are only one aspect , Because scientists will use experiments to constantly test its safety ; On the other hand, there are risks , It's about ethics , This is also the purpose of Jennifer's speech , It is hoped that the scientific community's research on this technology can be postponed , because ” Gene editing technology “ Although it may be helpful for the treatment of genetic diseases , But it could also be used to create so-called “ designer baby ”. It was mentioned in the speech that , Chinese scientists have recently discovered , They can even take advantage of CRISPR Technology changes genes in human embryos . If this technology is used in non therapeutic fields , Genetically engineered , Nothing more than to strengthen the performance of the human body . Imagine that we could try to design and make humans , Like having stronger bones , Or reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease , Even have the characteristics we have been waiting for , Such as different eye colors , Or grow taller . It can be understood as " Customized by ". Although which genes have these characteristics is unknown , But understand CRISPR Technology can help , This is the ethical risk this technology faces .

3、 ... and 、 “ Gene editing technology ” Existing ethical problems

“ Gene editing technology ” The ethical problems are obvious , Because if this technology is really applied , Medical treatment is only a small part that can be applied , Since genes can be easily altered , So I think more people are willing to change their own characteristics through this technology , Strengthen your physiological performance 、 Even create an extremely perfect “ people ”. Jennifer also said in her speech ：“ This genome editing technology full of opportunities , It has also triggered a variety of moral disputes that we must seriously consider . Because this technology can be applied not only to adult cells , It can also be used in the embryo of an organism , Including ourselves .” Due to the rise of this technology , There are also many start-ups , betake CRISPR Commercialization of Technology .

Four 、 How to solve these ethical problems

I think the development of technology should not go against the laws of nature , Social ethics . Jennifer called on the world to suspend any clinically relevant CRISPR Applications in human embryos , She and her team are also thinking about different CRISPR application . however , As a reporter said ： Some people hold back , Because they have moral concerns , Some people don't have , Still going my own way , Because some countries have regulations , And some have none at all . Because she and her team think they are involved in the source of this matter , Considering that some things may be involved in other fields besides Biology , So they stand up and take responsibility for this matter and hope that other science and technology can think in the same way . As a technician , They have such a sense of responsibility , Discuss its risks and dare to appeal to the world , As a beneficiary, we should also consider carefully , Think about how to avoid the application of technologies that violate ethics to real life , How to use these technologies correctly , This is the common responsibility of mankind . As a government, it should also take some coercive measures , Or legislation , Avoid the ethical problems caused by technology .

Reference resources ：

https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_doudna_how_crispr_lets_us_edit_our_dna/transcript
https://baike.tw.wjbk.site/wiki/%E5%9F%BA%E5%9B%A0%E5%B7%A5%E7%A8%8B