CRISPR is a process discovered in bacteria in the past ten years, which allows microbes to defend themselves against attack by viruses. At its heart is a programmable nuclease (which you can think of as a pair of molecular scissors) that can be directed to cut any specified DNA sequence. This powerful technology allows the genomes of any living thing, including humans, to be manipulated or "edited" in defined ways. It opens the door to the eradication of many genetic diseases, and many other benefits. However, the power of the technique raises ethical concerns that we are only beginning to grapple with.
This talk will focus on the CRISPR system, covering the following topics:
- How does CRISPR work?
- How was it discovered, and who are the personalities involved?
- What can we do with CRISPR?
- What should we do with CRISPR?
- What the CRISPR story tells us about the need to fund "blue skies" science and train the next generation of biologists
