CRISPR: how to unlock the genetic technology's potential

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  The Economist. Hello, this is Alok Jha,

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  host of Babbage, our weekly podcast on science and technology.

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  Welcome to Editor's Picks.

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  We've chosen an unmissable article from the latest edition of The Economist.

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  Please do have a listen.

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  Of the many patients who need an organ from a donor, 90% go without.

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  About 240 million people live with rare genetic diseases, most of which cannot be treated.

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  Each year, poor diets cause more than 10 million early deaths.

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  Suffering on such an immense scale can appear hopeless.

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  However,

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  a technique called CRISPR gene editing promises to help deal with these issues and many more,

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  and wise regulation can spur it on.

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  CRISPR is like an editor that can rewrite DNA letter by letter or gene by gene to remove harmful mutations or add protective ones.

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  Clinical trials will begin this summer on pig organs edited for transplanting into humans.

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  Last year the first new therapy went on the market.

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  It seemingly cures sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia,

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  two blood disorders that afflict millions.

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  If ongoing clinical trials succeed,

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  a one-off therapy could provide lifelong protection against heart attacks.

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  Farming will benefit too.

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