CRISPR technology is becoming more widely used each year. It is a powerful tool to treat many gene defects. It has made the editing of genomes quite simple and easy. Gene editing is very important in treating various genetic disorders.
CRISPR-Cas9 are specialized strands of DNA. There is a protein that we call Cas9, which acts like a scissor that cuts the strands of DNA causing genetic disorders.
Diseases That Can Be Cured By CRISPR technology:
CAS9 is a beneficial protein that can be considered as a molecular scissor for gene editing. There are several diseases that can be cured by CRISPR-Cas9.
Cancer
CRISPR is very significant in treating cancer. Some of the immune T cells were taken from the patient’s body. They were examined and by using CRISPR-Cas9, a specific gene was removed that locked a protein that binds well to the tumor cells. After modifying the genetic system through gene editing, the cells insert it again into the body of the patient (Rodríguez Fernández, 2019). They were able to attack the cancer cells more effectively than before. A large number of people have reported improvement in health after receiving the CRISPR treatment.
Blood Disorders
There are various blood disorders that can be effectively treated by CRISPR. In the case of Sickle Cell Anemia, a blood disorder prevalent in the African American community, CRISPR-Cas9 played a major role in treatment research. Stem cells from the bone marrow of the patient were taken, and the CRISPR Method was used to produce fetal hemoglobin, which can bind oxygen well. The cells were injected into the patient’s body after gene editing them. This way, many people overcome various blood disorders (Le Page, 2020).
Blindness
Congenital blindness is more common than people realize. Most of the time, blindness occurs because of the mutation of genes that can be congenital. CRISPR technology is used for gene editing and modifying different genes that are causing blindness through the CAS9 Protein (Rodríguez Fernández, 2019). It can cure a lot of people who are suffering from blindness by birth or because or because of genetic disorders.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
CRISPR-Cas9 has shown to be effective in controlling AIDS in the human body. It can be done by gene editing, which involves Cas9 cutting the DNA of the HIV-causing AIDS. It can be done while the virus is inactive in the human body (Rodríguez Fernández, 2019).The CRISPR Method can help get rid of the virus completely if the treatment is given at the initial stage when the virus is not mature enough. Various people have been cured of the HIV present in their system because of the CRISPR Technology.
Final Words:
Some of the major diseases that can be cured by CRISPR treatment are discussed above. There are several other diseases that can be treated by this method. This treatment is effective in taking control of genetic disorders through gene editing. CRISPR-Cas9 has brought upon a revolution in the world science and medicine as it related to gene editing (Le Page, 2020).
Reference
Page, Michael Le. “Three People with Inherited Diseases Successfully Treated with CRISPR.” New Scientist, 12 June 2020, www.newscientist.com/article/2246020-three-people-with-inherited-diseases-successfully-treated-with-crispr/.
Rodríguez Fernández, Clara. “Seven Diseases That CRISPR Technology Could Cure.” Labiotech.eu, 14 Jan. 2020, www.labiotech.eu/best-biotech/crispr-technology-cure-disease/.