Dr. Rajesh Chowdhary Ph.D., CEO of Pharmacogenomics LLC and CSO of Insilicom LLC from the United States participated in Risk Roundup to discuss The Rise of Gene Editing.
The Rise of Gene Editing
Today, technologies like CRISPR allow genetic material to be inserted, deleted, modified, or replaced in any living biological species. As gene editing tools become efficient and adaptable than ever before, their rapid rise and applications bring critical security risks and rewards for the future of humanity.
The rapidly emerging gene-editing capability is exciting many for its potential applications. As a result, there are rapid advances in genome editing applications, opening the door to a deeper understanding of the human health ecosystem. And because gene editing gives us a capability to pinpoint the location and function of a gene, the question then emerges where this capability can lead to beyond healthcare.
Gene Editing Applications
The ability to change DNA with precision brings transformative potential. From the loss of unwanted functions to gain desired functions, the potential of gene-editing technology is so massive that human life and health ecosystem can be transformed beyond recognition. As a result, excitement in the scientific research community is understandably growing.
Since gene editing can be effectively used for not only prevention and treatment of human diseases but for evolution and de-extinction purposes as see today, it brings critically secure risks.
From therapeutic to non-therapeutic and enhancement, the potential applications of gene editing are many. From gene therapy to gene expression, gene changes to medical applications, pet breeding to eradicating pests, creation of DNA tape recorders to developing tools for de-extinction, allergen removal to gene-edited foods, developing greener fuels to improve food nutrition, boost performance to enhance intelligence, there are many potential applications of gene editing.
The advances in gene-editing technology also give scientists the potential for ways to precision medicine. Reports are emerging of the precision of genome editing. So, the question appears whether the gene-editing technology is merely a healthcare tool for precision medicine, or is it more than that.
It seems gene editing gives us a broader capability for many applications. It is now even possible to alter the blueprint of life, our DNA. Editing the genes in human embryos is a reality now. As a result, it is now even possible to manipulate and control the human evolutionary process on our terms and timeline. That brings us to an important question, is the technology use safe or there are security concerns.
Security Risks
Gene-editing technology is not risk-free. There is a possibility of the edits happening in the wrong place. There is also a possibility of some cells carrying the edits and some not. Moreover, individuals with engineered genomes will perform better than the rest, creating a concern for the playing field and justice. As a result, safety and security are becoming a primary concern. The time is now to understand and evaluate the risks of gene-editing technology and its applications.
For more, please watch the Risk Roundup Webcast or hear the Risk Roundup Podcast
About the Guest
Rajesh Chowdhary is CEO of Pharmacogenomics.com LLC and CSO of Insilicom LLC. His research interest lies in the application of machine learning/AI approaches to biomedical problems. Rajesh has worked as a biomedical informatics faculty scientist at Marshfield Clinic, WI, with an honorary position at the School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was a research fellow in computational biology at the Department of Statistics, Harvard University. Rajesh has a Ph.D. from the School of Computing, National University of Singapore, a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Imperial College, and a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from IIT Bombay.
Pharmacogenomics.com LLC is a next-gen biotech company that develops computational tools to help pharma companies/research organizations in their precision medicine and drug discovery programs.
About the Host of Risk Roundup
Jayshree Pandya (née Bhatt), Founder and CEO of Risk Group LLC, is a scientist, a visionary, an expert in disruptive technologies, and a globally recognized thought leader and influencer. She is actively engaged in driving global discussions on existing and emerging technologies, technology transformation, and national preparedness.
About Risk Roundup
Risk Roundup, a global initiative launched by Risk Group, is a security risk reporting for risks emerging from existing and emerging technologies, technology convergence, and transformation happening across cyberspace, aquaspace, geospace, and space. Risk Roundup is released in both audio (Podcast) and video (Webcast) format and is available for subscription at (Risk Group Website, iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, Android, and Risk Group Professional Social Media).
About Risk Group
Risk Group LLC, is a leading strategic security risk research and reporting organization.
Copyright Risk Group LLC. All Rights Reserved
Evolution Or Extinction: Where Will The Gene Editing Revolution Take Us 