Last week, Editas Medicine filed to go public. The company is already backed by Google Ventures and Bill Gates.
The technology behind the company is simply to re-write your DNA. The CRISPR Technology can basically change your DNA and fix genes that might result in severe genetic disorders and diseases.
The technology behind is explained in the video below
Of course there are still many open questions and especially controlling the processes and making sure that the intervention only happens once and that only changes the targeted part of the DNA still poses many open research questions. The technology can also be used for many other purposes in basic research, drug development, and agriculture. It is a highly interesting technology to follow and a faint hope for people with genetic diseases.
Additional readings
Great introduction from Gizmodo to CRISPR
Everything You Need to Know About CRISPR, the New Tool that Edits DNA
Long read from Wired Magazine (where they also discuss the dangers of DNA editing)
Easy DNA Editing Will Remake the World. Buckle Up.
For the Danish reading people
“Sådan fungerer CRISPR” from videnskab.dk
Read and discuss the original LinkedIn Post
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