CRISPR in Drug Combination Discovery

An early detection of diseases is often key to patients’ survival. And if this could be done in a fast, cheap and very accurate way, perhaps using our phone, then the future of medicine could be really revolutionised. In her young career, Janice Chen, a recent PhD graduate in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, has co-created DETECTR, a programmable DNA detection technology based on the CRISPR gene editing tool. The new diagnostic tools developed by Chen and her colleagues could help us identify bacterial and viral infections, detect cancerous mutations as they happen, and recognise new outbreaks before they spread out. But they also trigger some ethical questions regarding data ownership and diagnostic counseling. Should we be able to diagnose diseases without physician oversight? We need to make decisions now as the technology is already available.

A 3D animation about the formation and introduction of cancer cells in our skin and into our blood stream as caused by UV rays.

Our genetic makeup has fascinated scientists and medical researchers for decades. There have been significant advances in the field of rewriting the blueprint of life or our DNA. It's been used to treat and prevent a number of disorders and diseases. But it could also be used to create what some have called 'designer babies'. The medical world is divided over the approach. Last year, a scientist in China said he created the world's first genetically edited twins -- leading to global condemnation. Scientists have gathered in Geneva this week to try come up with some regulations. But how would officials enforce rules around our DNA? And what are the risks of advanced research into human genetics?