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 .