Recently, the Government has allowed genome-edited plants without the cumbersome GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) regulation at the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
- Genome editing, or genome engineering, or gene editing, is a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism.
- Unlike early genetic engineering techniques that randomly inserts genetic material into a host genome, genome editing targets the insertions to site specific locations
- This tool has opened up various possibilities in plant breeding. Using this tool, agricultural scientists can now edit the genome to insert specific traits in the gene sequence.
- Advanced research has allowed scientists to develop the highly effective clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR) -associated proteins based systems.
- This system allows for targeted intervention at the genome sequence.
What is CRISPR-CAS9?
- As already discussed, CRISPR-Cas9 is a unique technology that enables scientists to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA sequence.
- CRISPR full form: Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats.
- CRISPRs are specialized stretches of DNA, and the protein Cas9 (“CRISPR-associated”) is an enzyme that acts like a pair of molecular scissors, capable of cutting strands of DNA.
- CRISPR is a dynamic, versatile tool that allows us to target nearly any genomic location and
potentially repair broken genes. It can remove, add or alter specific DNA sequences in the genome of
How does it work?
- The gene editing tool has two components :
- a single-guide RNA (sgRNA) that contains a sequence that can bind to DNA.
- the Cas9 enzyme which acts as a molecular scissor that can cleave DNA.
- In order to selectively edit a desired sequence in DNA, the sgRNA is designed to find and bind to the target.
- The genetic sequence of the sgRNA matches the target sequence of the DNA that has to be edited.
- Upon finding its target, the Cas9 enzyme swings into an active form that cuts both strands of the target DNA.
- One of the two main DNA-repair pathways in the cell then gets activated to repair the double-stranded breaks.
- While one of the repair mechanisms result in changes to the DNA sequence, the other is more suitable for introducing specific sequences to enable tailored repair.
- In theory, the guide RNA will only bind to the target sequence and no other regions of the genome.
- But the CRISPR-Cas9 system can also recognise and cleave different regions of the genome than the one that was intended to be edited.
- These “off-target” changes are very likely to take place when the gene-editing tool binds to DNA sequences that are very similar to the target one.
- Though many studies have only found few unwanted changes suggesting that the tool is probably safe, researchers are working on safer alternatives.
Applications of CRISPR Gene Editing:
- Embryonic stem cell and transgenic animals: CRISPR-Cas systems can be used to rapidly and efficiently engineer one or multiple genetic changes to murine embryonic stem cells for the generation of genetically modified mice.
- Disease modelling: Disease animal models have been essential resources in advancing the biomedicine field. With the help of genome editing technologies, many applicable models with specific mutations which could mimic clinical phenotypes have been generated.
- Cancer models: With the help of genome editing tools, numerous studies have been carried out through modifying key genes for generating accurate and specific cancer models. Cancer models are the most effective ways to study mutational functions which result in cancer.
- Genome editing technologies are not only used for generating disease animal models but also destined to enter the therapeutic area. There are plentiful means for genome editing based therapy:
- inactivation or correction of harmful mutations
- introduction of protective mutations
- insertion of therapeutic exogenous genes
- destruction of viral DNA
- Productivity improvement: Continuous decrease in the availability of land and water for agriculture, uncertain weather conditions and a growing population are signals for the urgent need for an alternative approach in the country. In this scenario, scientists are optimistic about the possibilities of genome editing for enhancing crop productivity to overcome the shortcomings of traditional transgenic methods like irregular breeding cycles, lack of precision in intended trait selection and uncertainty in getting desirable mutations.
- Allergy-free food: Food allergies affect a huge percentage of the population and can be life-threatening in some cases. With CRISPR, it could be possible to make milk, eggs or peanuts that are safe for everyone to eat.
- Greener fuels: Gene editing could improve the production of biofuels by algae. Using CRISPR-Cas9, the company Synthetic Genomics has created strains of algae that produce twice as much fat, which is then used to produce biodiesel. In particular, the gene-editing tool allowed scientists to find and remove genes that limit the production of fats.
- Eradicating pests: CRISPR could help us control the numbers of animal species that transmit infectious diseases or that are invasive in a particular ecosystem. The gene-editing technology can be used to create ‘gene drives’ that ensure a genetic modification will be inherited by all the offspring, spreading throughout an animal population over several generations.
How is Gene Editing different from GMO development?
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) involves modification of the genetic material of the host by introduction of a foreign genetic material.
- In the case of agriculture, soil bacteria is the best mining source for such genes which are then inserted into the host genome using genetic engineering.
- For example, in case of cotton, introduction of genes cry1Ac and cry2Ab mined from the soil bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) allow the native cotton plant to generate endotoxins to fight pink bollworm naturally.
- BT Cotton uses this advantage to help farmers naturally fight pink bollworm which is the most common pest for cotton farmers.
- The basic difference between genome editing and genetic engineering is that while the former does not involve the introduction of foreign genetic material, the latter does.
- In the case of agriculture, both the techniques aim to generate variants which are better yielding and more resistant to biotic and abiotic stress.
- Before the advent of genetic engineering, such variety improvement was done through selective breeding which involved carefully crossing plants with specific traits to produce the desired trait in the offspring.
- Genetic engineering has not only made this work more accurate but has also allowed scientists to have greater control on trait development.
Significance of Genome editing:
Genome editing is of great interest in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Currently, most research on genome editing is done to understand diseases using cells and animal models. Scientists are still working to determine whether this approach is safe and effective for use in people. Its significance can be known from the following points:
- Identification: It is being explored in research on a wide variety of diseases, including single-gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, and sickle cell disease.
- Treating complex diseases: It also holds promise for the treatment and prevention of more complex diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, mental illness, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
- Treating disorder: India has a large burden of genetic disorders and unmet medical needs and gene therapy can prove to be a turning point in the treatment of such disorders.
- Crops and Livestock: The technique of genome editing can also be used for increasing yield, introducing resistance to disease and pests, tolerance of different environmental conditions.
- Industrial Biotechnology: It can be used for developing ‘third generation’ biofuels and producing chemicals, materials, and pharmaceuticals.
- Biomedicine: Genome editing is also beneficial for pharmaceutical development, xenotransplantation, gene and cell-based therapies, control of insect-borne diseases.
- Reproduction: It helps in preventing the inheritance of a disease trait.
What are the cons of Gene editing?
- Making irreversible changes to every cell in the bodies of future children and all their descendants would constitute extraordinarily risky human experimentation.
- There are issues including off-target mutations (unintentional edits to the genome), persistent editing effects, genetic mechanisms in embryonic and fetal development, and longer-term health and safety consequences.
- Some argue that we do not understand the operations of the genome enough to make long-lasting changes to it. Altering one gene could have unforeseen and widespread effects on other parts of the genome, which would then be passed down to future generations.
- Many consider genome alterations to be unethical, advocating that we should let nature run its course.
- Few argue that after permitting human germline gene editing for any reason would likely lead to its ignorance of the regulatory limits, to the emergence of a market-based eugenics that would exacerbate already existing discrimination, inequality, and conflict.
- It will become a tool for selecting desired characteristics such as intelligence and attractiveness.
Concerns in India:
- Poor management: Based on the management of scientific technology in the past, it is uncertain whether or not the current regulatory landscape in India would be capable of enforcing the regulation of such an immensely powerful technology in a safe and ethical manner.
- Mishandling: Past developments in genetic technology have been mishandled, demonstrating the capacity (or lack thereof) of India’s regulatory organisations.
- For example, take the development of genetically modified crops. While the permissibility of these was still being debated in parliament, they were being illegally and prematurely sown in Gujarat in spades because of their perceived profitability.
- Corruption: This was largely a result of corrupt practices in Indian regulatory agencies. In the medical field, India has even gone so far as to ban the clinical use of stem cell therapy because of “rampant malpractice” and the inability to regulate its commercial use.
- Misuse & manipulation: There is little discouragement of the misuse and manipulation of medical technology for personal or commercial gain.
- Black market for human organs: The extensive growth of black markets for human organs and counterfeit medicine in India is the greatest testament to this statement.
The above issues paint an alarming picture of the state of regulation with regard to medical services in India and raise several concerns when considering the regulation of profitable gene-editing technology.
What are the Regulatory Issues Preventing the Technique?
- Across the world, GM crops have been a topic of debate, with many environmentalists opposing it on the grounds of bio safety and incomplete data. In India, the introduction of GM crops is a laborious process which involves multiple levels of checks.
- Till date the only crop which has crossed the regulatory red tape is Bt cotton.
- Scientists both in India and across the world have been quick to draw the line between GM crops and genome edited crops. The latter, they have pointed out, has no foreign genetic material in them which makes them indistinguishable from traditional hybrids.
- Globally, European Union countries have bracketed genome edited crops with GM crops. Countries like Argentina, Israel, US, Canada, etc have liberal regulations for genome edited crops.
The Road Ahead for Genome Editing:
- Current scientific advancements show that CRISPR is not only an extremely versatile technology, but it’s also proving to be precise and increasingly safe to use. But a lot of progress still has to be made.
- At presents, scientists are only beginning to see the full potential of genome-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9.
- Currently, there are no internationally agreed-upon laws or regulations on gene editing, leaving scientific research and application of CRISPR technology to the discretion of individual countries. An international protocol is the need of the hour.
- For CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology to be embraced by the public, it must be applied responsibly. The global research effort must remain focused on treating disease rather than engineering new human traits or creating so-called designer babies.
- According to a recent report, the global gene therapy market is anticipated to reach USD 4,300 million by 2021.
- The demand for gene therapy is primarily driven by continuous technological advancements and successful progression of several clinical trials targeting treatments with strong unmet need.
- Moreover, rising R&D spend on platform technologies by large and emerging biopharmaceutical companies and favourable regulatory environment will accelerate the clinical development and the commercial approval of gene therapies in the foreseeable future.
- Despite the promise, the high cost of gene therapy represents a significant challenge for commercial adoption in the forecast period.
- North America holds a dominating position in the global gene therapy market which is followed by Europe and the Asia Pacific.
- Asia Pacific region shows signs of high growth owing to the booming economies of India, and China.
- Overall, the field of gene therapy continues to mature and advance with many products in development and nearing commercialization.
The development of CRISPR-Cas proteins for genome editing applications has had a profound impact on biology and biotechnology over the past few years. These tools have democratized the ability to rewrite the information contained in genomes and thereby to both understand and alter genetic traits. The positives and negatives of gene-editing technologies are discussed and disseminated to a great degree. They represent very real, tangible opportunities at positively impacting the lives of various patients with certain diseases. However, it is essential not to generalise this potential across societies and nations, but to recognise that each country is unique and has its own narrative. Going forward, understanding that the technology of gene editing, requires more caution than optimism, regulatory efforts must pause to consider these issues in depth.
In the case of India, it is crucial that new rules and regulations are created to take into account the country’s unique professional and sociocultural landscape and, in addition, it’s capacity for ensuring that such a technology is handled responsibly and ethically.
Source: Indian Express
Serikali ya India imetoa idhini ya kuunda mimea iliyobadilishwa kwa njia ya jeni (GMO) na kuifanya kuwa rahisi kwa watu wa asili na wa asili kuitumia. Genome editing (Genome editing) ni aina ya uhandisi wa maumbile ambapo DNA huingizwa, kuondolewa, kubadilishwa au kubadilishwa katika genome ya kiumbe hai. Tofauti na mbinu za awali za uhandisi wa maumbile ambazo huingiza nyenzo za maumbile kwa nasibu katika genome ya mwenyeji, uhariri wa genome unalenga kuingizwa kwa maeneo maalum ya tovuti. Kwa kutumia chombo hicho, sasa wanasayansi wa kilimo wanaweza kuhariri chembe za urithi ili kuingiza sifa fulani katika mfululizo wa chembe za urithi. Kwa mfano, utafiti wa kisasa unaoonyesha kwamba kuna uwezekano mkubwa wa kuunda mfumo wa CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat) na kuunda mfumo wa kuunganisha protini. - Mfumo huu inaruhusu uingiliaji uliolenga katika mfululizo wa genome. CRISPR-CAS9 ni nini? CRISPR-Cas9 ni teknolojia ya kipekee ambayo inawawezesha wanasayansi kuhariri sehemu za genome kwa kuondoa, kuongeza au kubadilisha sehemu za mfululizo wa DNA. - CRISPR fomu kamili: Clustered mara kwa mara Interspaced Palindromic Repeats. CRISPR ni sehemu ya DNA ya kawaida, na protini ya Cas9 (ambayo ni sehemu ya CRISPR) ni enzyme inayofanya kazi kama kisu cha molekuli, inayoweza kukata nyuzi za DNA. CRISPR ni chombo cha nguvu na cha kubadilika-badilika ambacho kinatuwezesha kulenga karibu eneo lolote la genomu na uwezekano wa kurekebisha jeni zilizovunjika. Inaweza kuondoa, kuongeza au kubadilisha mfululizo maalum wa DNA katika genome ya binadamu. - chombo cha uhariri wa jeni kina vipengele viwili: - RNA ya mwongozo mmoja (sgRNA) ambayo ina mfululizo ambao unaweza kuunganisha na DNA. Enzyme ya Cas9 ni kiungo cha molekuli kinachoweza kupasua DNA. Kwa hivyo, kwa kuunda mfululizo wa DNA, scRNA inapaswa kuunganishwa na chombo hicho. - Mfuatano wa maumbile ya sgRNA inalingana na mfuatano wa lengo la DNA ambayo inapaswa kuhaririwa. Katika kesi hii, wakati wa kugundua lengo, enzyme ya Cas9 inageuka kuwa fomu ya kazi ambayo hupunguza nyuzi zote mbili za DNA ya lengo. - Mojawapo ya njia kuu mbili za kurekebisha DNA katika chembe huanzishwa ili kurekebisha mapumziko ya nyuzi mbili. Ingawa moja ya utaratibu wa ukarabati husababisha mabadiliko katika mfululizo wa DNA, nyingine ni bora kwa ajili ya kuanzisha mfululizo maalum ili kuwezesha ukarabati customized. - Kwa nadharia, RNA ya mwongozo itaunganisha tu kwa mfululizo wa lengo na hakuna mikoa mingine ya genome. CRISPR-Cas9 inaweza pia kutambua na kugawanya sehemu tofauti za genome kuliko ile iliyokusudiwa kuhaririwa. - Mabadiliko haya "nje ya lengo" ni uwezekano mkubwa kutokea wakati chombo cha uhariri wa jeni huunganisha kwa mfululizo wa DNA ambao ni sawa sana na lengo moja. Ingawa utafiti umegundua mabadiliko machache yasiyotakiwa, watafiti wanafanya kazi kwa njia mbadala. CRISPR: Mifumo ya CRISPR inaweza kutumika kwa haraka na kwa ufanisi kuunda mabadiliko moja au zaidi ya maumbile kwa seli za msingi za kiinitete za panya kwa kizazi cha panya zilizobadilishwa maumbile. - Modeling ugonjwa: Ugonjwa mifano ya wanyama wamekuwa rasilimali muhimu katika kuendeleza uwanja wa biomedicine. Kwa msaada wa teknolojia za uhariri wa genome, mifano mingi inayofaa na mabadiliko maalum ambayo yanaweza kuiga phenotypes za kliniki imetengenezwa. - Mifano ya kansa: Kwa msaada wa zana za uhariri wa genome, masomo mengi yamefanywa kupitia kurekebisha jeni muhimu kwa kuzalisha mifano sahihi na maalum ya kansa. Mifano ya kansa ni njia bora zaidi ya kujifunza kazi za mabadiliko ambayo husababisha kansa. - Teknolojia za uhariri wa genome hazitumiwi tu kutengeneza mifano ya wanyama wa ugonjwa lakini pia zimekusudiwa kuingia katika eneo la matibabu. Kuna njia nyingi za matibabu ya msingi ya uhariri wa genome: - kutofanya kazi au kurekebisha mabadiliko mabaya - kuanzisha mabadiliko ya kinga - kuingiza jeni za matibabu ya nje - uharibifu wa DNA ya virusi - Uboreshaji wa uzalishaji: Kupungua kwa kuendelea kwa upatikanaji wa ardhi na maji kwa kilimo, hali ya hali ya hewa isiyo na uhakika na idadi ya watu inayoongezeka ni ishara ya hitaji la haraka la mbinu mbadala nchini. Katika hali hii, wanasayansi wana matumaini juu ya uwezekano wa uhariri wa genome kwa kuongeza uzalishaji wa mazao ili kushinda mapungufu ya mbinu za jadi za transgenic kama vile mzunguko wa uzalishaji usio wa kawaida, ukosefu wa usahihi katika uteuzi wa sifa zinazolengwa na kutokuwa na uhakika katika kupata mabadiliko ya kutamaniwa. - Vyakula visivyo na mzio: Mzio wa chakula huathiri asilimia kubwa ya watu na katika visa fulani waweza kuhatarisha uhai. Kwa CRISPR, inaweza kuwa na uwezo wa kutengeneza maziwa, mayai au karanga ambazo ni salama kwa kila mtu kula. - Mafuta ya kijani: Uhariri wa jeni unaweza kuboresha uzalishaji wa mafuta ya kibiolojia na mwani. Kwa kutumia CRISPR-Cas9, kampuni ya Synthetic Genomics imefanya aina ya mwani ambayo hutengeneza mafuta mara mbili zaidi, ambayo hutumiwa kutengeneza mafuta ya bio. Hasa, chombo hicho cha kuhariri chembe za urithi kiliwawezesha wanasayansi kupata na kuondoa chembe za urithi zinazopunguza utengenezaji wa mafuta. CRISPR inaweza kusaidia kudhibiti idadi ya spishi za wanyama zinazopeleka magonjwa ya kuambukiza au ambazo ni za uvamizi katika mazingira fulani. Teknolojia ya uhariri wa jeni inaweza kutumika kuunda "msafara wa jeni" ambao unahakikisha marekebisho ya jeni yatarithiwa na wazao wote, ikienea katika idadi ya wanyama kwa vizazi kadhaa. Uhariri wa chembe za urithi ni tofautije na maendeleo ya chembe za urithi? - Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) inahusisha mabadiliko ya nyenzo ya maumbile ya mwenyeji kwa kuanzisha nyenzo ya maumbile ya kigeni. Katika kilimo, bakteria za udongo ni chanzo bora cha madini kwa ajili ya jeni kama hizo ambazo kisha huingizwa katika genome ya mwenyeji kwa kutumia uhandisi wa maumbile. Kwa mfano, katika kesi ya pamba, kuingizwa kwa jeni cry1ac na cry2ab zilizochimbwa kutoka kwa bakteria ya udongo Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) inaruhusu mmea wa asili wa pamba kuzalisha endotoxins kupambana na mdudu wa rangi ya waridi. BT Cotton hutumia faida hii kusaidia wakulima kupambana na mdudu wa rangi ya waridi, ambayo ni wadudu wa kawaida kwa wakulima wa pamba. Tofauti ya msingi kati ya uhariri wa genome na uhandisi wa maumbile ni kwamba wakati wa kwanza hauhusishi kuingizwa kwa nyenzo za maumbile za kigeni, wa pili hufanya. - Katika kesi ya kilimo, mbinu zote mbili lengo la kuzalisha variants ambayo ni bora kuzalisha na zaidi sugu kwa biotic na abiotic mkazo. Kabla ya kuanzishwa kwa uhandisi wa maumbile, uboreshaji wa aina hizo ulifanywa kupitia uzalishaji wa kuchagua ambao ulihusisha kuvuka kwa uangalifu mimea yenye sifa maalum ili kuzalisha sifa inayotakiwa katika wazao. Uhandisi wa maumbile haujatengeneza tu kazi hii kuwa sahihi zaidi bali pia umewawezesha wanasayansi kuwa na udhibiti mkubwa juu ya maendeleo ya sifa. Utaratibu wa Genome Editing ni muhimu sana katika matibabu na kuzuia magonjwa ya binadamu. Hivi sasa, utafiti mwingi juu ya uhariri wa genome unafanywa ili kuelewa magonjwa kwa kutumia chembe na mifano ya wanyama. Wanasayansi bado wanafanya kazi ili kujua ikiwa mbinu hiyo ni salama na yenye matokeo kwa ajili ya watu. Uwezekano wa kuambukizwa ni wachache, lakini kuna uwezekano wa kuambukizwa kwa njia mbalimbali, ikiwa ni pamoja na ugonjwa wa chembe za urithi kama vile cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, na ugonjwa wa chembe za sickle. - Matibabu ya magonjwa magumu: Pia ina ahadi ya matibabu na kuzuia magonjwa magumu zaidi, kama vile kansa, ugonjwa wa moyo, ugonjwa wa akili, na maambukizi ya virusi vya ukosefu wa kinga ya binadamu (HIV). - Matibabu ya ugonjwa: India ina mzigo mkubwa wa magonjwa ya urithi na mahitaji ya matibabu yasiyotimizwa na tiba ya jeni inaweza kuthibitisha kuwa hatua ya kugeuka katika matibabu ya magonjwa kama hayo. - Mazao na mifugo: Mbinu ya uhariri wa genome pia inaweza kutumika kwa kuongeza mavuno, kuanzisha upinzani kwa magonjwa na wadudu, uvumilivu wa hali tofauti za mazingira. - Bioteknolojia ya viwanda: Inaweza kutumika kwa ajili ya kuendeleza "kizazi cha tatu" biofuels na kuzalisha kemikali, vifaa, na dawa. - Biomedicine: Genome editing pia ni muhimu kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya dawa, xenotransplantation, jeni na seli-msingi tiba, udhibiti wa magonjwa ya wadudu-kutokana. - Uzazi: Husaidia kuzuia urithi wa tabia ya ugonjwa. Kuna ubaya gani wa kurekebisha chembe za urithi? """Kufanya mabadiliko ya kudumu katika kila seli katika miili ya watoto wa siku zijazo na wazao wao wote ingekuwa majaribio ya hatari sana kwa binadamu." Kuna masuala ya pamoja na mabadiliko ya nje ya lengo (mabadiliko ya kimakusudi ya genome), athari za uhariri wa kudumu, utaratibu wa maumbile katika maendeleo ya kiinitete na kiinitete, na matokeo ya muda mrefu ya afya na usalama. - Wengine husema kwamba hatuelewi utendaji wa genome vya kutosha kufanya mabadiliko ya kudumu kwake. Mabadiliko ya jeni moja yanaweza kuwa na athari zisizotarajiwa na za kuenea kwenye sehemu nyingine za genome, ambazo kisha zitapitishwa kwa vizazi vijavyo. - Wengi huona mabadiliko ya genome kuwa yasiyo ya kiadili, wakidai kwamba twapaswa kuruhusu asili ifanye kazi yake. """Watu wachache wanasema kwamba baada ya kuruhusu mabadiliko ya chembe za urithi za binadamu kwa sababu yoyote, inawezekana kuongoza kwa kutokujua mipaka ya udhibiti, kwa kuibuka kwa eugenics ya soko ambayo ingeongeza ubaguzi, ukosefu wa usawa, na migogoro iliyopo tayari.""" - Itakuwa chombo cha kuchagua sifa zinazotakiwa kama vile akili na kuvutia. "Kutokana na usimamizi wa teknolojia ya kisayansi katika siku za nyuma, haijulikani ikiwa mazingira ya sasa ya udhibiti nchini India yatakuwa na uwezo wa kutekeleza udhibiti wa teknolojia yenye nguvu sana kwa njia salama na ya maadili. """ - Mishandling: Maendeleo ya zamani katika teknolojia ya maumbile yametumiwa vibaya, kuonyesha uwezo (au ukosefu wake) wa mashirika ya udhibiti wa India. - Kwa mfano, chukua maendeleo ya mazao yaliyobadilishwa chembe za urithi. Wakati kuruhusiwa kwa hizi bado kulikuwa kukibishaniwa katika bunge, zilikuwa zikipandwa kinyume cha sheria na mapema huko Gujarat kwa sababu ya faida yao inayoonekana. - Ufisadi: Hii ilikuwa kwa kiasi kikubwa matokeo ya mazoea ya ufisadi katika mashirika ya udhibiti wa India. Katika uwanja wa matibabu, India hata imeenda mbali sana kama kupiga marufuku matumizi ya kliniki ya tiba ya seli za shina kwa sababu ya "matumizi mabaya ya kawaida" na kutokuwa na uwezo wa kudhibiti matumizi yake ya kibiashara. - Matumizi mabaya na udanganyifu: Kuna kukatishwa moyo kidogo kwa matumizi mabaya na udanganyifu wa teknolojia ya matibabu kwa faida ya kibinafsi au kibiashara. - Soko nyeusi kwa viungo vya binadamu: Ukuaji mkubwa wa masoko meusi kwa viungo vya binadamu na dawa bandia nchini India ni ushahidi mkubwa wa taarifa hii. "Maswala yaliyotajwa hapo juu yanaonyesha picha ya kutisha ya hali ya udhibiti wa huduma za matibabu nchini India na ""kuinua wasiwasi kadhaa wakati wa kuzingatia udhibiti wa teknolojia ya uhariri wa jeni yenye faida.""" Ni masuala gani ya kisheria yanayokataza mbinu hiyo? Kwa sasa, mazao ya GM yamekuwa suala la mjadala duniani kote, na wanaharakati wengi wa mazingira wanapinga kwa sababu ya usalama wa kibiolojia na data isiyo kamili. Nchini India, kuanzishwa kwa mazao ya GM ni mchakato mgumu ambao unahusisha viwango vingi vya ukaguzi. - Hadi sasa mazao pekee ambayo yamevuka red tape ya udhibiti ni pamba ya Bt. Wanasayansi nchini India na duniani kote wamekuwa haraka kuchora mstari kati ya mazao ya GM na mazao ya genome edited. Hizi za mwisho, wamebainisha, hazina nyenzo za kijeni za kigeni ndani yao ambayo huwafanya wasiweze kutofautishwa na viumbe wa kawaida. - Ulimwenguni kote, nchi za Umoja wa Ulaya zimeunganisha mazao yaliyobadilishwa na chembe za urithi na mazao ya GM. Nchi kama Argentina, Israel, Marekani, Canada, nk zina kanuni huria kwa mazao yaliyobadilishwa genome. Njia ya mbele kwa Genome Editing: - Maendeleo ya kisayansi ya sasa yanaonyesha kwamba CRISPR si tu teknolojia ya versatile sana, lakini pia ni kuthibitisha kuwa sahihi na zaidi salama kutumia. Lakini bado kuna maendeleo mengi yanayopaswa kufanywa. Kwa sasa, wanasayansi wanaanza tu kuona uwezo kamili wa zana za uhariri wa genome kama CRISPR-Cas9. Kwa sasa, hakuna sheria au kanuni zilizokubaliwa kimataifa juu ya uhariri wa jeni, ikiacha utafiti wa kisayansi na matumizi ya teknolojia ya CRISPR kwa hiari ya nchi za mtu binafsi. Itifaki ya kimataifa ni haja ya saa. Kwa hivyo, kwa sababu ya teknolojia ya CRISPR-Cas9 ya kuhariri genome, ni muhimu sana kuifanya iwe rahisi kwa watu wengi. """Jitihada za utafiti duniani lazima ziendelee kuzingatia kutibu magonjwa badala ya kubuni tabia mpya za binadamu au kuunda watoto wa kubuniwa." Kulingana na ripoti ya hivi karibuni, soko la matibabu ya jeni ulimwenguni linatarajiwa kufikia dola milioni 4,300 ifikapo mwaka 2021. Mahitaji ya tiba ya jeni ni kuendeshwa na maendeleo ya teknolojia ya kuendelea na mafanikio ya majaribio kadhaa ya kliniki kulenga matibabu na mahitaji makubwa unmeted. - Zaidi ya hayo, kuongezeka kwa matumizi ya R&D kwenye teknolojia za jukwaa na makampuni makubwa na yanayoibuka ya dawa za kibiolojia na mazingira mazuri ya udhibiti yataharakisha maendeleo ya kliniki na idhini ya kibiashara ya tiba za jeni katika siku zijazo. - Licha ya ahadi, gharama ya juu ya tiba ya jeni inawakilisha changamoto kubwa kwa ajili ya kupitishwa kibiashara katika kipindi cha utabiri. - Amerika ya Kaskazini inashikilia nafasi ya kutawala katika soko la matibabu ya jeni la kimataifa ambalo linafuatwa na Ulaya na Asia Pasifiki. - Mkoa wa Asia Pasifiki unaonyesha ishara za ukuaji wa juu kutokana na uchumi unaoongezeka wa India, na China. - Kwa ujumla, uwanja wa tiba ya jeni unaendelea kukomaa na kusonga mbele na bidhaa nyingi katika maendeleo na karibu na kibiashara. Maendeleo ya CRISPR-Cas protini kwa ajili ya maombi ya uhariri genome imekuwa na athari kubwa juu ya biolojia na biotechnology katika miaka michache iliyopita. Vifaa hivi vimeboresha uwezo wa kuandika upya habari zilizo katika genomu na hivyo kuelewa na kubadilisha sifa za urithi. Mambo mazuri na mabaya ya teknolojia za kurekebisha chembe za urithi huzungumziwa na kuenezwa kwa kadiri kubwa. Ni fursa halisi na halisi ya kuathiri maisha ya wagonjwa mbalimbali wenye magonjwa fulani. Hata hivyo, ni muhimu si generalize uwezo huu katika jamii na mataifa, lakini kutambua kwamba kila nchi ni ya kipekee na ina hadithi yake mwenyewe. Kuendelea mbele, kuelewa kwamba teknolojia ya uhariri wa jeni, inahitaji tahadhari zaidi kuliko matumaini, juhudi za udhibiti lazima zisimamie kuzingatia masuala haya kwa kina. Katika kesi ya India, ni muhimu kwamba sheria mpya na kanuni zimeundwa kuzingatia mazingira ya kitaaluma na kijamii ya nchi na, kwa kuongezea, uwezo wake wa kuhakikisha kuwa teknolojia kama hiyo inashughulikiwa kwa uwajibikaji na maadili. Chanzo: Indian Express