Overview
Gene editing is a method that lets scientists change the DNA of many organisms, including plants, bacteria, and animals. Editing DNA can lead to changes in physical traits, like eye color, and disease risk. Scientists use different technologies to do this. These technologies act like scissors, cutting the DNA at a specific spot. Then scientists can remove, add, or replace the DNA where it was cut.
The first genome editing technologies were developed in the late 1900s. More recently, a new genome editing tool called CRISPR, invented in 2009, has made it easier than ever to edit DNA. CRISPR is simpler, faster, cheaper, and more accurate than older genome editing methods. Many scientists who perform genome editing now use CRISPR.
Consider:
Is gene editing ok to do? If so, when? If not, why?
Is there a difference between children and adults? What about someone who is mentally ill?
Is germline editing ok? (This is when a sperm or egg is modified so the traits modified will be passed on.)
Provide evidence for your opinion from your sources. Understand how others might argue against you and be ready to provide counter-examples.