Science
Related: About this forumIf we have billions of cells in our bodies,
how does gene editing work? I can't imagine executing a procedure (crispr?) on every relevant cell.
tia
las
is the magic number
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LAS14
(13,769 posts)dweller
(23,613 posts)LAS14
(13,769 posts)drray23
(7,616 posts)They die but constantly manufacture new copies of themselves. If you alter the DNA sequence , future generations of these cells will carry the change from thereon.
After a while, that's all you will have in your body.
LAS14
(13,769 posts)... with the old DNA too. No?
drray23
(7,616 posts)It's incredibly well designed. Those article linked above explain that. Basically, it has it's own delivery system targeted to the type of cells you want to modify. It "latches" onto those and modify them.
Jim__
(14,063 posts)From July of this year at Center for Genetics and Society:
"It is just amazing how far things have come," says Victoria Gray, 34, of Forest, Miss. "It is wonderful," she told NPR in an exclusive interview after undergoing the landmark treatment for sickle cell disease .
Gray is the first patient ever to be publicly identified as being involved in a study testing the use of CRISPR for a genetic disease.
"I always had hoped that something will come along," she says from a hospital bed at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, Tenn., where she received an infusion of billions of genetically modified cells. "It's a good time to get healed."
...
Also, you may try reading up on Somatic Genetic Modification versus Germline Genetic Modification - there's a little bit here:
Somatic genetic modification adds, cuts, or changes the genes in some of the cells of an existing person, typically to alleviate a medical condition. These gene therapy techniques are approaching clinical practice, but only for a few conditions, and at a very high cost.
Germline genetic modification would change the genes in eggs, sperm, or early embryos. Often referred to as inheritable genetic modification or gene editing for reproduction, these alterations would appear in every cell of the person who developed from that gamete or embryo, and also in all subsequent generations.
For safety, ethical, and social reasons, there is broad agreement among many scientists, ethicists, policymakers, and the public that germline editing is a red line that should not be crossed. Using germline editing for reproduction is prohibited by law in more than 40 countries and by a binding international treaty of the Council of Europe. However, in November 2108 [I assume that should be 2018- Jim], a scientist named He Jiankui announced he had edited the genes of twin baby girls who had subsequently been brought to term. His reckless experimentation has been nearly universally condemned. This development has sparked new debate around human germline modification, particularly between parties who desire to push the technology forward and those who fear it could open the door to a new market-based form of eugenics.
LAS14
(13,769 posts)dweller
(23,613 posts)i'm currently reading Richard Dawkins' The Blind Watchmaker and he mentioned
64, thus my post ... 4x4x4 combinations = 64 ... you could find the info in the links provided
i can't explain genetics and will not try to here, i can only point to links you may or not explore... others have above pointed to the links also...
life is a mystery so i try to understand what i can...
a resident scientist posted this,
https://www.democraticunderground.com/122866508
wrap your head around that 🤔
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