Countless advancements have been made in the world of medicine over the last century. Antivirals and antibiotics have been invented to treat infections, and vaccines have been created to prevent them in many cases. CT and MRI machines came to pass to give doctors a more in-depth interior view of the human body. Pacemakers, artificial heart valves, and even artificial hearts have been developed to keep people alive in the face of cardiac issues. Those are only a few of the life-altering breakthroughs we’ve seen over the past 100 years.
Of course, some of the most awe-inspiring advancements revolve around gene editing technology. Not very long ago, many people thought that tampering with the human genome couldn’t possibly produce positive results. It’s still a very young and extremely controversial matter, but this field has progressed well beyond what many imagined just a few decades ago. It plays several roles in revolutionizing healthcare at this point, and it’s projected to become an even more integral component of the world of medicine moving forward.
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Resolving Genetic Diseases
Many illnesses and chronic medical conditions are caused by mutations in DNA. Sometimes, exposure to certain hazards can damage the DNA. Once that happens, it continues to replicate the damage in future cells. Mutations can also be passed down from parents to their offspring. In some cases, mistakes in the body’s natural cellular replication process seem to develop on their own without outside influences. Either way, they can lead to a long list of detrimental, and potentially deadly, conditions.
Gene editing allows scientists to cut the damaged portion of the DNA that’s causing mutations. From there, they can either repair the damage or replace the altered portion with healthy DNA. Both approaches can either eliminate genetic disorders or greatly reduce their effects.
Preventing Diseases
In some instances, gene editing can prevent certain diseases from developing. If scientists can pinpoint mutations, they may be able to reverse them or remove the faulty DNA. This can be done in embryos or later in life. This technology is being explored for the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and certain inherited conditions to name a few possibilities. Though it’s currently in the trial stages, it holds the potential to prevent a great deal of misery and save countless lives.
Customized Medical Treatments
Right now, the problem with many medical treatments is all the variables involved. No two people’s DNA is exactly the same, and people can respond to different treatments in different ways. That can lead to varying levels of effectiveness. In some cases, it renders conventional treatments completely ineffective for certain people.
With gene editing, doctors may be able to treat patients on a cellular level. They can create customized treatments based on a patient’s unique DNA rather than using one-size-fits-all remedies. Gene editing can allow doctors to develop medications that are tailored to patients’ specific needs. They may also be able to use the technology to address conditions themselves rather than their symptoms alone. It can lead to more effective treatments and fewer potentially harmful side effects.
Changing Medicine at the Cellular Level
Great strides have been made in healthcare over time, and many of the most impressive advancements have been made just in the last few decades. Gene editing is one of them. Although it’s still largely in the developmental stages, it has already been proven effective in some situations. It also offers virtually unlimited promise for the future of medicine.
