CRISPR: A Revolution in Biology

Gene editing technologies give scientists the ability to change an organism's DNA by adding, removing, or altering genetic material at particular locations in the genome. The most famous of these is CRISPR-Cas9, which was adapted from a naturally occurring genome editing system used by bacteria as an immune defense.

Therapeutic Potential

The primary focus of gene editing research is on treating and preventing human diseases. It holds incredible promise for curing genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia, Huntington's disease, and cystic fibrosis by correcting the faulty genes that cause them. From an athletic perspective, it could be used to repair genes that predispose players to conditions like ACL tears or certain heart conditions.

The Ethical Minefield

The same tool that can fix a broken gene could, in theory, be used to enhance a healthy one. Changes made to egg or sperm cells (germline cells) could be passed to future generations, which brings up a number of ethical challenges, including whether it would be permissible to enhance normal human traits like height or intelligence. This is where the concept of "gene doping" emerges. The use of germline cell and embryo genome editing is currently illegal in many countries due to these ethical and safety concerns.