Techniques
What does CRISPR do to DNA?
It cuts DNA at a specific spot using a guide RNA.
What’s the main concern with designer babies?
Ethical issues about fairness, social inequality, and unnatural selection.
What disease might CRISPR help treat?
Sickle cell disease, certain cancers, inherited blindness, etc.
What is a genome?
The complete set of an organism’s DNA, including all genes.
Would you edit your own genes?
This question invites personal opinions, but it also introduces important themes: Would you want to fix a serious illness? What about enhancing your traits? Where do we draw the line? It gets students thinking about identity, fairness, and how far science should go.
What’s the difference between somatic and germline editing?
Somatic editing affects only the individual, while germline editing changes are passed on to offspring.
Is germline editing legal in all countries?
No, many countries ban or heavily regulate it.
What is a transgenic crop?
A plant genetically modified to include genes from another species.
Define “mutation.”
A change in the DNA sequence.
Imagine a world without genetic disease.
This vision is both hopeful and challenging. It could mean fewer suffering and longer, healthier lives. But would people become less tolerant of natural differences? Would some traits be considered undesirable? It’s a good way to spark debate about the social consequences of gene editing.
What is a potential risk of gene editing?
Unintended mutations or off-target effects.
What does “informed consent” mean in gene editing?
The patient fully understands and agrees to the risks and benefits of the treatment.
Name a scientist associated with CRISPR.
Jennifer Doudna or Emmanuelle Charpentier.
What is gene therapy?
A medical treatment that uses genes to fix or replace faulty ones.
Explain CRISPR to a 6-year-old.
“Your body has instructions like a recipe book. CRISPR is a pair of tiny scissors that helps fix mistakes in those instructions, so your body works better.” This makes the concept understandable at a basic level and shows you know how to communicate science clearly.