@almacbolton
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Registered: 2 years, 8 months ago
What is CRISPR exactly? Although CRISPR has been in the news quite often lately, a lot of people seem to be confused about the details of the technology. There are some misperceptions regarding what the technology is all about So let's clear up the details! CRISPR 'EDITS', IT DOESN'T 'MODIFY There's a difference! Contrary to GM, CRISPR edits and removes specific sections of the pre-existing DNA.1 It alters the DNA already there! GM introduces foreign DNA into an organism, thus altering the DNA.2 This foreign DNA can be derived from plants, bacteria, or insects. Sneak a peek at this website to find out a useful source on CRISPR. CRISPR is more reliable than GM, AND IT'S ONLY getting started. CRISPR would win if they were to play the game of darts. CRISPR is more exact than GM in some aspects. CRISPR operates only on pre-existing genetic material, unlike GM. CRISPR "rewrites" the genes that are in your DNA focus on the specific genes. The technology works with four bases that comprise the genes A C, T, and A and then picks the relevant genes. IT'S STARTING TO GET THE SAME REGULATIONS AS GM In the past it was the case that there was little regulation on CRISPR compared to GM. This was mainly due to the fact that CRISPR was relatively new technology was, having only been around since 2013.6 It all changed in July 2018 when EU courts ruled that CRISPR was under the same regulations as GM.7 However, this obviously does not apply to nations like the US or China and the future for global research regulation is still not yet clear. CRISPR IS CHEAP AS CHIPS When you think of the latest food technology, you could assume that it will mean the cost of production rising however, CRISPR is much less expensive and affordable than other current bioengineering techniques. It's because it doesn't require a large expensive laboratory with a lot of equipment, it just requires the proper RNA fragment and the right chemicals and enzymes.8 I'm sure my bank account wouldn't mind CRISPR. CRISPR IS NOT THE SAVIOR OF FOOD JUST YET Although CRISPR is an option in the race to address the global food crisis, increasing yields and resisting environmental pressures to feed our global appetites,9 it still has a lot of work to do. This isn't one of sprints. CRISPR is just at the start of this race. While it's a much more precise and easier method than its predecessor (GM) but that doesn't mean it's infallible. CRISPR can act in undesirable areas of the genome just as GM. Even though it's more precise, that does not mean that it is always as and research has shown that it can sometimes create incorrect deletions.10 We are still far from being in control of the genes found in our food, and being in a position to anticipate their actions fully, but we're moving towards that point. With CRISPR the day could not be so far away as we thought.
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