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A CRISPR Human

Targeted Genome Modification of Disease

By Andrea M. Henle

A CRISPR Human


 

Abstract

This interrupted case study tells the story of a woman with cystic fibrosis and her husband. The couple is presented with an opportunity to potentially fix the woman's disease-causing gene using CRISPR. Students follow the couple as they face decisions about her health and lifespan, as well as the health of any children they might have. The case is used to teach students about the genetics of cystic fibrosis, genome editing using CRISPR, and how to use CRISPR in the clinic or laboratory. The case also provides an opportunity for a discussion of bioethics, specifically pertaining to genome editing, "designer babies," and how genome editing should be paid for when it is used in humans. As such, it is appropriate for use with non-major students although originally designed for undergraduate biology majors in a sophomore-level cell and molecular biology course.  It could be used in introductory biology courses, and it would also be suitable for upper-level biology courses, particularly if the instructor places more emphasis on the final part of the case study, which is focused on CRISPR design.

   

Date Posted

04/22/2021

Overview

Objectives

  • Investigate the molecular cause of a genetic disease.
  • Describe the structural and functional components of the CRISPR technology and how DNA repair mechanisms are employed by this new genome editing technology.
  • Apply scientific knowledge to a discussion of bioethics.
  • Gain practice working with and manipulating gene sequences in order to understand the difference between DNA, mRNA, cDNA, and protein sequences.

Keywords

CRISPR; Cas9; CRISPR-Cas9; CRISPR-Cas; cystic fibrosis; genetic modification; editing; bioethics; enzymes; DNA; RNA; designer baby

  

Subject Headings

Biochemistry
Biology (General)
Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Genetics / Heredity
Medicine (General)
Molecular Biology
Nursing

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Ethics, Regulatory issues

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Dilemma/Decision, Directed, Discussion, Flipped, Interrupted

 

 

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