A recent study published in Nature Genetics reveals alarming risks with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. These “gene scissors,” designed to precisely cut and modify DNA, often cause unintended and potentially dangerous genetic changes, which can increase cancer risk in humans and animals and disrupt the genetic stability of plants, affecting agriculture. Despite being hailed as a groundbreaking tool, CRISPR/Cas9’s unexpected mutations show it’s more hazardous than previously believed, raising serious concerns about its widespread use in science and medicine.
Regulators have previously claimed that any unintentional changes from CRISPR/Cas9 are similar to natural mutations. But this new study, published in May 2024, disproves that notion. The study shows that the changes caused by CRISPR/Cas9 can have serious health and environmental impacts, particularly in altering the food derived from edited plants and compromising their genetic stability.
CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful tool that can precisely cut and modify DNA. It won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. Unlike traditional genetic manipulation methods, CRISPR/Cas9 can target a specific part of the genome and make precise cuts. After these cuts, cells naturally try to repair the DNA, often using a similar piece of DNA as a template. Scientists can use this opportunity to insert a custom-made piece of DNA in hopes that the cell will incorporate the intended change.
However, things can go wrong. A study in 2020 published in Cell found that CRISPR/Cas9 caused severe side effects when used to repair a gene mutation in human embryos. The tool often caused significant damage to the DNA, leading to large deletions in the genome. Instead of fixing the gene, CRISPR/Cas9 sometimes results in disastrous alterations. Researchers believe that similar issues might have gone undetected in other CRISPR/Cas9 applications.
The most recent study indicates that there has been little progress in identifying and preventing these negative effects. Using CRISPR/Cas9 involves cutting the DNA strands completely, which can lead to unpredictable outcomes when the chromosomes attempt to repair themselves. These unintended changes often go unnoticed, posing a risk of causing cancer.
As CRISPR/Cas9 is used more frequently, the risks to humans, animals, and plants become increasingly concerning. The tool can damage the environment and change the composition of food from genetically edited plants. If these mutations go undetected, they can accumulate, making future plant varieties unstable and unsuitable for agriculture.
The study underscores the need for caution with new genetic engineering techniques like CRISPR/Cas9. While there are often claims that these techniques are similar to traditional breeding, studies repeatedly show otherwise. The unintended consequences of CRISPR/Cas9 can have far-reaching effects, making it essential to understand and address the risks before widespread use.
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