Could diseases like Cancer and Alzheimer's be eliminated from the human genome?
With recent discoveries in gene modifying, scientists think that they can help eliminate inheritable genes that code for a higher risk of cancer, autism, and hemophilia, among others. Using a genetically-modifying tool called CRISPR or Cas 9, scientists can cut out or add proteins to an embryo's genetic material. Most of the genetic modification that happens with CRISPR happens on the germ line. The germ line is the sperm and egg cells, and the genetic material contained in these is passed down from generation to generation. This means that any engineering done on the germ line will be passed down to future offspring. So, for example, a gene that codes for a higher chance of cancer or heart disease could be eliminated, and any offspring wouldn't have that gene. With this tool, many diseases and disorders like cancer, Huntington's disease, and Down's syndrome could be eliminated.
Another thing that could be reduced or eliminated is a person's risk of having a mental illness, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
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With lowered risks of inheriting these diseases through genes, inheritable disease would be less common, and less people would die from them.
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