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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Stuart Gibbs, adult librarian, discussed CRISPR during the Science Cafe at the Canfield library on Feb. 12.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield library hosted Science Cafe:CRISPR on Feb. 12. CRISPR is a growing technology that is used to edit genes. Attendees learned how CRISPR is used, what effect it is this having on science research and the outlook of this new technology.
The discussion, led by Stuart Gibbs, adult librarian, started with the question of how can we use CRISPR - is it a good resource or a bad resource?
CRISPR allows genetic modifications to be made with speed and accuracy. It involves cutting genomic DNA in precise locations to modify the genome sequence. It is researchers’ hope to use it to correct mutations which cause genetic diseases in humans.
Gibbs showed the group a video, which further explained the concept of CRISPR. The video explained that CRISPR is potentially an extremely powerful tool and it pretty much works in any organism it is tried in. But it is a controversial science, as the fear of genetic altering is great.
The video focused on the fact that some scientist have been researching using CRISPR on animals, but genetically modifying animals might cause trouble. Some think CRISPR has the potential to help species on the brink of extinction today and could help other animals from going extinct.
When the video ended, Gibbs and the group discussed CRISPR further and some of the unwanted consequences of genetic modifications in humans.