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I understand that CRISPR can change the genome in a specific chromosome, but how do you change the genome in all cells of a body? Or you don't need to change al
by dandare 7y ago
I understand that CRISPR can change the genome in a specific chromosome, but how do you change the genome in all cells of a body? Or you don't need to change all cells in order to cure genetic disease?
- turbo_fart_box 7y agoFrom what I have seen you just have to keep pumping the person full of CRISPR until it permeates their entire system
- Gatsky 7y agoYes, you can't change the genome in all the cells of a body. Whether this is necessary or not depends on the disease. For example, for certain conditions, it would be enough to edit some bone marrow stem cells, then put them back into the patient, perhaps at the same time as getting rid of most of their existing bone marrow with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Another example is editing a specific organ only, such as the retina or the liver.
- SuoDuanDao 7y agoIt's difficult. The standard way in frogs is to just keep injecting them until the altered cells outnumber the regular ones. You wouldn't have to change them all though, often genetic diseases are confined to a particular tissue. There are also theories around using a live virus to carry the genetic material, theoretically a virus like that could leave behind the desired mutation as it replicates through the body's cells. Promising mechanism, though I don't know of anyone who's pulled it off.