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Ch. 20 - Recombinant DNA Technology
Klug - Concepts of Genetics  12th Edition
Klug12th EditionConcepts of Genetics ISBN: 9780135564776Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 20, Problem 28

The CRISPR-Cas system has great potential but also raises many ethical issues about its potential applications because, theoretically, it can be used to edit any gene in the genome. What do you think are some of the concerns about the use of CRISPR-Cas on humans? Should CRISPR-Cas applications be limited for use on only certain human genes but not others? Explain your answers.

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Step 1: Understand the CRISPR-Cas system as a powerful gene-editing tool that allows precise modifications to DNA sequences within the genome, which can potentially correct genetic disorders or alter traits.
Step 2: Identify ethical concerns related to CRISPR-Cas use in humans, such as unintended off-target effects, long-term health consequences, potential for creating genetic inequalities, and the moral implications of altering human germline cells that can be inherited by future generations.
Step 3: Consider the debate about limiting CRISPR-Cas applications to certain genes, focusing on the distinction between therapeutic uses (e.g., correcting disease-causing mutations) versus enhancement purposes (e.g., altering physical traits or intelligence), which raises questions about fairness, consent, and societal impact.
Step 4: Reflect on the importance of regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines to ensure responsible use of CRISPR-Cas technology, balancing scientific advancement with respect for human rights and safety.
Step 5: Formulate your position by weighing the potential benefits of CRISPR-Cas in treating genetic diseases against the risks and ethical dilemmas, and explain whether you believe restrictions should be placed on which human genes can be edited and why.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

CRISPR-Cas System and Gene Editing

CRISPR-Cas is a powerful gene-editing technology that allows precise modification of DNA sequences within organisms. It uses a guide RNA to target specific genes and the Cas enzyme to cut DNA, enabling gene insertion, deletion, or alteration. This technology has vast potential in medicine, agriculture, and research.
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Ethical Concerns in Human Gene Editing

Ethical issues arise from the potential misuse of CRISPR-Cas, such as unintended genetic changes, germline editing affecting future generations, and social inequalities. Concerns include consent, safety, and the possibility of creating 'designer babies' or exacerbating discrimination based on genetic traits.
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Human Genome Composition

Regulation and Limitations of Gene Editing

Regulating CRISPR-Cas involves setting boundaries on which genes can be edited to balance benefits and risks. Limitations may focus on therapeutic uses for serious diseases while restricting enhancements or non-medical modifications, ensuring responsible use and addressing societal and ethical implications.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

When disrupting a mouse gene by knockout, why is it desirable to breed mice until offspring homozygous (−/−) for the knockout target gene are obtained?

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Textbook Question

What techniques can scientists use to determine if a particular transgene has been integrated into the genome of an organism?

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Textbook Question

Gene targeting and gene editing are both techniques for removing or modifying a particular gene, each of which can produce the same ultimate goal. What is the main technical difference in how DNA is modified that differs between these approaches?

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Textbook Question

The gel presented here shows the pattern of bands of fragments produced with several restriction enzymes. The enzymes used are identified above the lanes of the gel, and six possible restriction maps are shown in the column to the right.

One of the six restriction maps shown is consistent with the pattern of bands shown in the gel.

From your analysis of the pattern of bands on the gel, select the correct restriction map and explain your reasoning.

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Textbook Question

The gel presented here shows the pattern of bands of fragments produced with several restriction enzymes. The enzymes used are identified above the lanes of the gel, and six possible restriction maps are shown in the column to the right.

One of the six restriction maps shown is consistent with the pattern of bands shown in the gel.

The highlighted bands (magenta) in the gel were hybridized with a probe for the gene pep during a Southern blot. Where in the gel is the pep gene located? 

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Textbook Question

A widely used method for calculating the annealing temperature for a primer used in PCR is 5 degrees below the melting temperature, Tₘ(°C), which is computed by the equation 81.5+0.41×(%GC)−(675/N), where %GC is the percentage of GC nucleotides in the oligonucleotide and N is the length of the oligonucleotide. Notice from the formula that both the GC content and the length of the oligonucleotide are variables. Assuming you have the following oligonucleotide as a primer,

5′-TTGAAAATATTTCCCATTGCC-3′

Compute the annealing temperature for PCR. What is the relationship between %GC and? Why? (Note: In reality, this computation provides only a starting point for empirical determination of the most useful annealing temperature.)

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