If we have the ability to make “designer babies,” should we? We might be able to overcome gene-related diseases, like Huntington’s disease, Down syndrome and even cancer. We could also potentially improve intelligence or make our baby taller or choose an eye color. With a new technology called CRISPR, this question is becoming more and more of a reality. Until now, changing the genetic code of any living thing to create a genetically modified organism – or GMO – has required years of work using million-dollar technology in high-end research labs. But CRISPR is cheap, fast and relatively easy to use. In other words, it’s a game changer.
Gene Editing
Credits
Guests:
- Josiah Zayner - biohacker - @4LOVofScience
- Paul Knoepfler - UC Davis - @pknoepfler