HUMAN GENE EDITING

HUMAN GENE EDITING

     Human gene editing or genome editing or genome editing with engineered nucleases ( G E E N) is a type of genetic engineering in which D N A is inserted, replaced or removed from a genome using artificial engineered nucleases. There are four families of engineered nucleases being used. They are Zinc Finger nucleases (Z F Ns), Transcription Activator-like Effector nucleases (T A L E Ns), The Crispr/Cas system and engineered Meganuclease re-engineered homing endonucleases. These methods are guided by a D N A cutting enzyme to specific D N A sequences.

     Human gene editing is a great achievement and is likely to bring great changes in human life. It is quite possible to change the hereditary effect. It may not be possible in the near future to ascertain the relation between parents and their children by means of D N A, if this is implemented. It is quite possible to replace the defective genes with normal ones at its natural location, thereby eliminating likely diseases.  It is recently found that there are some inherited genes linked to12 deadly cancers. These inherited genes are in breast and ovarian cancers, stomach cancer, prostate, lungs, brain and nervous system, uterus and blood cancers, etc. This raises the hope for earlier detection and better targeting of therapy. There is increased acceptance and use of techniques of assisted conception, which are likely to be required for the use of genome editing in human embryos. Thus the use of these techniques in stem cells and in early stages of human development can correct genetic defects for improvement in health. If human gene editing is developed further it may alter the nature of the human species. This technology can also enhance the desirable physical and mental traits. It is an indication that highly intelligent persons can be produced as well as extremely wicked persons who may aim at destruction of humanity if this technique falls into the hands of evil minded people.

     This technique of human gene editing allows physicians to alter the human germline which includes the eggs and sperm, to cure genetic disease or even enhance desirable physical and mental traits. The international scientists meeting held in Washington recently declared that it would be irresponsible to proceed until the risks should be well assessed and until there was broad social consensus about the appropriateness of any proposed change. The group also held that as knowledge advances the issue of making permanent changes to human genome should be revisited on a regular basis.

     However there seems to be tremendous improvement in genetic engineering in the near future. Let us hope for something good for humanity.