Genome Editing Will Transform Our World

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, Jan.31, 2022 - Since 2003 the Human Genome Project has completed the first human genome, DNA sequencing technologies have upgraded to an extraordinarily higher level than ever. Genome sequencing technology is reported by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals as one of the innovative technologies to reshape our society and life by 2030. Nowadays, DNA sequencing technologies have improved rapidly, so scientists can sequence a large amount of data at once. The limitation of DNA sequencing is no longer related to the sequence cost or laboratory quality controls. Researchers are more focused on the applications of DNA sequencing.

Especially Genome editing. Genome editing is a variety of technologies that offer scientists the ability to change an organism's DNA. These technologies permit genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome. The highest honor of scientists- the Nobel Prize awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the development of a method for genome editing in the Chemistry field in 2021. It showed that human ability can elevate to a new high level – To change what nature should be. Many scientists hope genome editing technologies can bring the hopes to cure some difficult disorders. For instance, finding new pharmacology, therapeutics and treatments. In addition, it can also be used to accelerate the economic value of agriculture.

With the CRISPR–Cas9 technology, scientists at Imperial College in London published a study showing how Gene-drive mosquitoes help to fight malaria. A Gene drive is a type of genetic editing technique that modifies genes to change the typical rules of heredity. This type of genetic modification has the ability to spread a trait in a wild population. The gene drive technology allows to target only the main species that carry the disease and without affecting those that do not.

Normal inheritance allows for only 50% of altered gene being inherited. Gene drive inheritance allows for almost 100% of altered gene inheritance. Credit: M. Tefler (https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-ticker/gene-drives-aren%E2%80%99t-ready-wild-report-concludes)

Although there are some concerns that genome editing would be against nature. We all can’t deny that the benefits are much bigger than the concerns. The global market accounted for $4.81 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $36.06 billion in 2030, growing at a CAGR of 22.3% from 2021 to 2030. It’s still a long way to get genome editing out of the experiment to implement in clinical trials. Before that, the public needs more understanding about why and how genome editing can help create a better life. And the governments need to formulate the laws or restrict regulations to protect any ethical issues.

Referecens:

[1] What are genome editing and CRISPR-Cas9?

[2] Press release: The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020

[3] What is a gene drive?

[4]Using gene drives to control wild mosquito populations and wipe out malaria

[5]Genome Editing Market is Generating Revenue of $36.06 Billion by 2030, at CAGR 22.3% Growth Rate