The Human Condition
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CRISPR-Cas9
CRISPR-Cas9
CRISPR-Cas9
Sunday 16th February 2025
Explore CRISPR's accidental discovery and potential in healthcare with Dr. Granite's insights on ethics and future possibilities.
Explicit
10 minutes
Informative
Engaging
Thought-provoking
Educational
Inspiring
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Get the buttons here!CRISPR-Cas9: Bacteria's Gift to Modern Medicine
Episode Overview
- CRISPR was discovered in bacteria, not invented.
- FDA has approved CRISPR treatments for sickle cell disease.
- Ethical concerns surround gene editing and human enhancement.
- Cost and chemotherapy are barriers to CRISPR treatment access.
- All life is interconnected through genetic lineages.
It's like having a pair of molecular scissors that can precisely snip out a bad gene and potentially replace it with a good one.
CRISPR-Cas9, a cutting-edge technology, is the star of this episode of 'The Human Condition'. Dr. Alfred Granite's newsletter is the springboard for a lively discussion about the accidental discovery of CRISPR in bacteria and its potential to revolutionise healthcare. Imagine having molecular scissors that can snip out bad genes and replace them with good ones – it's like something straight out of science fiction, but it's becoming reality. The hosts chat about how CRISPR was discovered in E.
coli by Yoshizumi Ishino and explore the implications of this tool, from treating genetic disorders to possibly enhancing human capabilities. The episode also delves into the ethical considerations surrounding CRISPR. Should we be editing our genes for intelligence or athleticism? Where do we draw the line? These questions aren't just for scientists – they're for everyone to ponder.
The hosts highlight the challenges of CRISPR-based treatments, like the FDA-approved therapies for sickle cell disease, which cost over $2 million and require chemotherapy. Yet, there's hope that these barriers will be overcome with ongoing research. Dr. Granite's insights extend beyond the science to philosophical musings on LUCA, the last universal common ancestor, reminding us that all life is interconnected.
The episode encourages listeners to reflect on what it means to be human in an age where we can edit our genetic code. With humour and curiosity, the hosts navigate the complexities of CRISPR, leaving you with a sense of wonder about the future of medicine and humanity itself. So, if you're curious about how this bacterial defence mechanism might change our lives, this episode is well worth a listen.