GS1 Prenatal Technology Flashcards
Outline how CRISPR can edit DNA
CRISPR= Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
CRISPRs are repeating sequences found in the genetic code of bacteria. They are interspersed with “spacers”. These are unique stretches of DNA that the bacteria grab from invading viruses, creating a genetic record of their malicious encounters.
On a repeat encounter with a virus, a bacterium can produce a stretch of RNA that matches the viral sequence using the material in its spacer archive. This “guide RNA” teams up with DNA-cutting Cas enzymes. This is to seek out and “cleave” the matching viral sequences, to stop the virus from replicating.
By engineering the guide RNA, researchers can programme Cas enzymes to match the DNA at specific sites that they want to cut in the cell’s genome. This triggers a DNA repair that can result in precise sequence changes to the gene of interest.
Discuss at least 5 separate ethical concerns around the introduction of genome editing
- How do you decide which conditions should be “corrected”
- Loss of a person’s true personality traits without
- Loss of disability’s from society may not be as appealing as it sounds.
o Subtitles invention is now used for other non-deaf users. - Opposes drive for inclusion of the disabled into society
- Could have unintended consequences
Compare and contrast genome editing alongside other prenatal technologies
Prenatal genetic screening: To check for conditions such as Down’s syndrome
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis: IVF couples can select embryo’s that do not have certain disease-causing mutations
Mitochondrial replacement therapy: Replaces a very small number of genes that a mother passes on with those from donor.
