Michaela
Recent breakthroughs in in-vitro gametogenesis (IVG) have brought the possibility of gene-edited human embryos closer to reality, with CRISPR-Cas9 poised to make heritable gene editing viable within years.
Gene-editing technology is well established and has remained a prominent focus of scientific and public interest in recent years. Gene editing is a scientific technique that allows researchers to make precise changes to DNA, such as correcting mutations, removing faulty genes, or adding new genetic material. Tools like CRISPR-Cas9 act like molecular scissors, enabling targeted edits that can influence how genes function.
Researchers have made major advancements in the field of IVG, marking a significant step toward lab-grown human reproductive cells. Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the team created early-stage germ cell precursors — known as pro-spermatogonia and pro-oogonia — that closely mirror the characteristics of natural germ cells at both the genetic and epigenetic levels.
This research could eventually offer new fertility options for individuals unable to conceive naturally, by enabling the creation of eggs or sperm from their own cells.
Furthermore, Yale researchers have engineered advanced mouse models using CRISPR gene-editing technology to study how different genes interact in the immune system’s response to various diseases, including cancer.
In a study published on March 20 in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the Yale researchers noted how gene-editing tools can precisely cut or modify sections of DNA or RNA, helping scientists better understand how specific genes contribute to various diseases. The team introduced a new method using CRISPR-Cas12a, which allows them to analyze the effects of multiple genetic changes at once, particularly in how the immune system responds to different conditions.
Advancements in gene-editing technologies may one day make it possible to select specific traits in future children. However, such capabilities also raise complex ethical, social, and legal questions. The potential to alter physical characteristics or cognitive abilities could spark debates about fairness, inequality, and the implications of creating so-called “designer babies.”
Colossal Revives Extinct Dire Wolves with CRISPR
CRISPR technology recently captured widespread public attention following Colossal Biosciences’ announcement of a breakthrough in efforts to revive the extinct dire wolf, a prehistoric species popularized by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.
The biotech company successfully revived the long-extinct dire wolf, or rather a close genetic approximation, using DNA extracted from two ancient fossils. Through a process involving 20 precise genetic edits to the DNA of the gray wolf, the dire wolf’s closest living relative, the biotechnology company was able to create three viable dire wolf pups.
Utilizing its CRISPR technology, Colossal enhanced specific traits, including the snowy white coats that were once characteristic of the species.
The three revived dire wolves — a pair of male adolescents and a female pup — are now living in a protected 2,000-acre preserve at an undisclosed location. Though often linked to fantasy, dire wolves were once real animals that roamed the Americas. They are believed to have gone extinct roughly 10,000 years ago, likely due to the disappearance of the large herbivores that served as their primary food source.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
