Summary of Genetic Engineering Will Change Everything Forever – CRISPR
genetic engineering has been used for thousands of years through selective breeding, but the discovery of DNA revolutionized the field.
In the 1960s, scientists started tinkering with DNA through radiation and inserting DNA snippets into organisms.
The development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) started in the 1970s and commercialized in the 1980s.
The introduction of CRISPR technology has revolutionized gene editing, making it cheaper, faster, and more precise.
CRISPR works by using a programmable system to edit DNA in living cells, offering the ability to switch genes on and off and target specific DNA sequences.
CRISPR has the potential to cure diseases like HIV, cancer, and genetic disorders by editing the genetic code.
The technology could also lead to the creation of designer babies and the potential to modify the human gene pool.
Challenges include ethical considerations, the potential for unintended consequences, and the misuse of genetic engineering by totalitarian regimes.
Despite the challenges, genetic engineering has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, extend human lifespan, and even enable space travel.
Researchers Featured
- Chinese scientists
- US scientists
- Various unnamed scientists working on genetic engineering and CRISPR technology
Notable Quotes
— 01:16 — « Information is encoded in the structure of the molecule. »
— 02:22 — « All things we had to harvest from the organs of animals before that. »
— 06:28 — « CRISPR could also defeat one of our worst enemies—cancer. »
— 07:30 — « Over 3,000 genetic diseases are caused by a single incorrect letter in your DNA. »
— 11:37 — « Engineered humans might be better equipped to cope with high-energy food, eliminating many diseases of civilization like obesity. »
Category
Science and Nature