Did You Know: CRISPR-cas 9
From discovering the existence of genes, to
naming them and the discovery of DNA
[Gregor Mendel : Founder of the modern science of genetics (Pea plant experiment)]
Every discovery has brought humans to
further understand what defines us. 
[Wilhelm Johannsen : Coining the terms gene, phenotype and genotype]
[Rosalind Franklin : Discovery of the DNA double helix structure by x-ray diffraction images - Photo 51]
[James Watson & Francis Crick : Proposed the double helix structure of DNA]
In 2012, an American biochemist named
Jennifer Doudna invented the CRISPR-cas 9 system
which humans can edit
genes in precise locations
So how does this system make it happen?
The target gene is firstly determined
Then scientist create a strand of guide RNA that matches the target DNA gene sequence
The guide RNA then identifies the target
gene which is complementary to it
Then the molecular scissors known as cas-9
then cut out the sequence
A preferred gene is then inserted to replace the clipped
sequence or the gene is left as is-to silence it
In the future, CRISPR-cas 9
as a gene editing tool may help us stop
the transmission of malaria, cure genetic
diseases and even prevent aging
Little that we know what was originally an immune
system from a bacteria will change how
(Streptococcus Pyogenes)
we shape the future
But whether this
powerful tool will be beneficial or disasterous
It all depends on how we end up
using it
