Today, generating transgenic animals for scientific experiments is quite common using modern genome editing methods, but as for the history of genetically modified animals, this process first began with a research team led by Thomas Wagner at Ohio University in 1981.

Key among gene-editing technologies is a molecular tool known as CRISPR-Cas9, a powerful technology discovered in 2012 by American scientist Jennifer Doudna, French scientist Emmanuelle Charpentier, and colleagues and refined by American scientist Feng Zhang and colleagues.

Genome editing (also called gene editing) is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA. These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.

The core technologies now most commonly used to facilitate genome editing, shown in Figure 1, are (1) clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), (2) transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), (3) zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), and (4) homing …

DNA is a dynamic and adaptable molecule. As such, the nucleotide sequences found within it are subject to change as the result of a phenomenon called mutation. Sometimes, a mutation may even cause dramatic changes in the physiology of an affected organism.

Genetics, Disease Prevention and Treatment FAQ

1. Check regularly for the disease.
2. Follow a healthy diet.
3. Get regular exercise.
4. Avoid smoking tobacco and too much alcohol.
5. Get specific genetic testing that can help with diagnosis and treatment.

Therapeutic applications using CRISPR/Cas9 to correct disease-causing mutations are currently under development to treat cancer and heritable diseases, like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) a genetic disorder with no cure that causes muscle degeneration and weakness, and eventual premature death.