Ethical and Genome-Focused Approaches to Limiting Chagas Disease
A Project Born of the 2018 iGEM Biohackathon @ Harvard University
What is Chagas, and why should we care?
What is Chagas, and why should we care?
In short: Chagas is a neglected tropical disease that affects up to 8 million people worldwide, many of whom do not even know they have the disease.
In short: Chagas is a neglected tropical disease that affects up to 8 million people worldwide, many of whom do not even know they have the disease.
How is Chagas currently treated, and why it is insufficient?
How is Chagas currently treated, and why it is insufficient?
In short: Chagas is prevented by ecologically-harmful pesticides. Once infected, individuals suffering from Chagas are treated with expensive, poisonous compounds that have major side effects a large preposition of patients.
In short: Chagas is prevented by ecologically-harmful pesticides. Once infected, individuals suffering from Chagas are treated with expensive, poisonous compounds that have major side effects a large preposition of patients.
How can genetic engineering help limit Chagas prevalence?
How can genetic engineering help limit Chagas prevalence?
In short: By using genetic engineering to modify the gut environment of the insect in which the parasite that causes Chagas disease lives, perhaps we can limit the spread of Chagas disease without harsh drugs or harmful pesticides.
In short: By using genetic engineering to modify the gut environment of the insect in which the parasite that causes Chagas disease lives, perhaps we can limit the spread of Chagas disease without harsh drugs or harmful pesticides.
Isn't genetic engineering dangerous? How can we limit the risk?
Isn't genetic engineering dangerous? How can we limit the risk?
In short: Recently, many methods have been produced to create a restraint on gene drive. For example, the Daisy Chain Gene Drive method can limit genetically modified organisms to a relatively small geographic area, or for only a few years.
In short: Recently, many methods have been produced to create a restraint on gene drive. For example, the Daisy Chain Gene Drive method can limit genetically modified organisms to a relatively small geographic area, or for only a few years.