Description
The medical field is constantly changing and new technologies are being developed for a wide range of purposes. Some of these advances, such as those in the field of genetics, have both advantages and disadvantages. For example, scientists in the lab can work with DNA to alter viruses, but this may also result in ethical issues that must be addressed by doctors and others in the medical field. According to Derry (2010), CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a prokaryotic immune surveillance system that is used by bacteria to recognize genetic material of infectious organisms, such as phage viruses” (Abstract, p.1). The two scientists who developed the CRISPR-associated (Cas) system won a Nobel Prize for their work, and this system can be used to edit genomic DNA. Read “CRISPR: Development of a Technology and Its Applications” and watch Segment 15 “CRISPR: Ethics” of “The Gene: An Intimate History – Part Two” from the University Library to learn about CRISPR and how it is used in the medical field. Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words: How might CRISPR-Cas 9 be used in research or, eventually, therapeutically in patients?What are some potential ethical issues associated with using this technology?Do the advantages of using this technology outweigh the disadvantages (or vice versa)? Explain your position.
