CRISPR: Scientists are able to edit the DNA of the cell with an unprecedented degree of accuracy.
CRISPR is a gene modification technique that allows modification of the DNA of an organism, including humans, and scientists seek to use it in the treatment of diseases, even though there are some concerns.
CRISPR technology is inexpensive and easy to use, and allows scientists to modify genes through a "scissor" gene in a way that is similar to a word processing program, and can monitor genetic abnormalities and replace them with other elements of DNA.
The CRISPR technique relies on an enzyme called Cas9, uses a guided RNA molecule to target the desired DNA and then modifying DNA to disassemble genes or sequence sequences, according to a report in the journal Nature in 2015.
CRISPR enables scientists to edit the DNA of the cell with unprecedented accuracy. Scientists are seeking to use CRISPR to fix genetic problems in human embryos and thus cure diseases.
The technology allows scientists to change any gene they actually target, opening up new avenues in genetic medicine because of their ability to modify genes quickly and effectively.
But concerns about the use of this technology in human embryonic cells or early embryos are that the changes will be passed on to future generations, and may be used to produce so-called "children on demand".
It must be emphasized that CRISPR is safe, that gene modification is effective and that it does not cause any changes elsewhere in the genome that may cause damage.