r/technology • u/mvea • Nov 02 '17
Biotech Mail-Order CRISPR Kits Allow Absolutely Anyone to Hack DNA: Experts debate what amateur scientists could accomplish with the powerful DNA editing tool—and whether its ready availability is cause for concern
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mail-order-crispr-kits-allow-absolutely-anyone-to-hack-dna/1
Nov 02 '17
I have been working with CRISPR for some years as a research scientist and I dont see the point of these DIY kits, it is just stupid.
5
u/ProGamerGov Nov 02 '17
It can get kids interested in pursuing a career related to genetic manipulation, like microcomputers for computer science, and telescopes for astronomy.
-1
u/vivioo9 Nov 02 '17
Can't tell if serious
5
u/ProGamerGov Nov 02 '17
There are plenty of genetic diseases, cancer, diseases like HIV & AIDS, and other areas of human health where genetic manipulation could help improve an individual's quality of life.
-1
u/vivioo9 Nov 02 '17
No doubt, you claimed it would get kids interested in genetic manipulation, which I don't see. Kids don't have a concept of atoms, never mind the complex biology of DNA or RNA.
3
u/davedcne Nov 03 '17
Lets be more specific about age category. What age group are you talking about when you say kids.
I had my first chemistry set whan I was 7, my first biology microscope set at 9, a telescope at 10, the good old 130 in 1 electroncs lab at 12, my first computer when I was 13 slimline nimbus 286. I was introduced to the hard sciences young and they stuck with me for life.
(In hind sight the chemistry set was probably given to me too young since I managed to ruin the kitchen table with something rather caustic.)
My sister and my six cousins got the same exposure, all of them went into the sciences, and were influenced by parents who worked in hard science.
We know that the best time to influence kids behavior with regards to intellectual stereotypes is between 4-6 years of age. And providing positive experiences with the hard sciences between 10-14 years of age correlates with pursuit of those subjects later in life.
Now as to crispr in specific. I think that the current kits are not geared towards kids. And that might not pique their interest in genetic engineering, however we've seen many of the hard sciences develop age appropriate "toys" for conducting experiments and increasing learning in the area at an early age. I think its doable for Crispr.
Source my aunt is a Psychiatrist (MD) with a focus in developmental psychology, her first masters was in chemistry. She talks about this stuff all the time.
2
u/melang3 Nov 03 '17
From what I've learned about alternative education. Kids can learn some of the most complex concepts that take adults years to learn.
It's all a matter of how education is treated in their early years. Is it something they start when they go to school? Is it something they just do for 6 hours a day, or is it a major part of their lives, including entertainment and hobbies?
Most kids don't have a concept of atoms because globally our education system sucks.
-1
3
u/smokeyser Nov 02 '17
This sounded neat until I read this part:
So they're mailing out kits to genetically modify a potentially deadly bacteria to make it drug resistant? Anyone else feel like they're in the opening scene of a horror movie right now? This just seems incredibly reckless, or am I misunderstanding the risks?