TED ELAZIĞ COLLEGE / 8-B
Genome
Editing
Deniz ALINAK
Within the last 66 years, DNA was discovered, and we learned how
it works. People have developed machines that can sequence it.
Scientists have been able to develop some tools and methods that
can change it. Moreover, they are even trying to design unborn
babies who are much smarter, stronger, and more good-looking.
In 1980, scientists opened this door, but it needed some
improvement. After the first trials failed in 1990 -for the first timedoctors
managed to treat a rare gene disease. The method was
experimental, yet they tried to work on multiple genes so that in
the future the genetically modified babies would not suffer from
diseases relating to heart, blood pressure, and the brain.
Then scientists started another research. They said “If we can edit
genes, why do we only have to use it for treatment? Why don’t we
edit the genes to produce new societies with better citizens?” In
2004, they took one step further. They did an experiment with two
rats. One of them was normal and the other one was genetically
modified. The scientists named it “The Marathon Rat”. The normal
rat was able to run 200 meters in 10 minutes then it stopped, but
the other one ran for 5 straight hours at the same speed, had a
timeout, and then started to run again for another 5 hours.
In conclusion, if we had the chance to apply this to our children,
then we would be able to produce societies which had stronger
people who could run faster and jump higher. We can create
engineers, doctors, composers, and artists. We can also create
workers and builders. In other words, by doing this, societies will be
healthier, smarter and safer.