52
The main advantage of CRISPR is its rare precision for molecular methods: one “control” guide RNA clings to the required fragment of the genome, and Cas9 makes a cut exactly there. Clinical trials of therapies for sickle cell anemia and hereditary blindness are already underway.
Advertising
However, ethical and safety issues remain open. Unforeseen mutations, mosaicism — when not all cells receive the corrected gene — and the risk of creating “designer” babies require strict regulation. It is predicted that in five to seven years, CRISPR could become the standard treatment for a number of monogenic diseases if scientists find ways to minimize side effects.
