So, what exactly is CRISPR? Although CRISPR has been in the news quite a lot recently, many people seem to be in a state of confusion about the details of the technology. There are some misunderstandings that need to be addressed, so let’s get right to the point!
CRISPR ‘EDITS’ DOESN’T ‘MODIFY
Yes, there’s a difference! Contrary to GM, CRISPR edits and removes specific sections of the pre-existing DNA.1 It edits what’s already present! GM introduces DNA from one species into another, therefore modifying the DNA.2 Additionally, this foreign DNA could originate from any type of organism , including insects, plants, bacteria or any other species. Navigate to this site to get an article source about CRISPR.
CRISPR IS MUCH than GM, AND IT’S NEXT to get started.
If the two were to meet in a darts game, CRISPR would definitely win. It’s more precise than GM in a number of ways. CRISPR operates only on pre-existing genetic material, in contrast to GM. CRISPR “rewrites” the genes in your deoxyribonucleic acid and focuses on specific genes. The technology works with four bases that make up the genes A, T and C, and then selects the relevant genes.
IT’S STARTING TO GET THE SAME REGULATIONS AS GM
CRISPR was not as subject to regulation as GM until recently. This was mainly due to how young the technology was. It’s only been around since 2013.6 This all changed in July 2018 , when EU judges ruled that CRISPR will be under the same rules as GM.7 However, this clearly isn’t applicable to nations like the US or China which is why the future for the regulation of research across the globe is yet to be seen.
CRISPR IS as CHEAP as CHIPS
If you think of a new food technology, you may think it would mean cost increases however, CRISPR is much less expensive and affordable than other methods of bioengineering currently available. The reason is because CRISPR doesn’t require a huge expensive laboratory with a lot of equipment, it just requires the right RNA fragment as well as the right chemicals and enzymes.8 I’m guessing that my bank account won’t be too concerned about CRISPR.
CRISPR ISN’T THE SAVIOUR OF FOOD JUST YET
Although CRISPR is an option in the race to solve global food problems, possibly improving yields and reducing environmental stresses to meet the global demand for food,9 it needs a lot to be done. That race is an endurance race, not a sprint, and CRISPR is only just at the starting line.
Although CRISPR is much more precise and simpler than GM, it doesn’t assure that it’s 100% secure. CRISPR can also affect negative areas of the genome, like GM. CRISPR may act in undesirable regions of the genome, just like GM. However, it is not always accurate. Studies have demonstrated that it is sometimes able to result in incorrect deletions. CRISPR could be closer than we think.
