Let us examine few areas where Cas9 can have major impact.
1. Cancer Therapy
Breast cancer has a gene called BRCA gene. If you are unlucky to have the BRCA gene, you’ve got only one option left . Remove both your breasts. The earlier the better. That’s what Angelina Jolie did. She had to sacrifice both her breasts and a fabulous screen career at her prime.
Cas9 promises to delete that gene like a delete key in the system. The only stumble block is how to delete them from 30 trillion cells in your body.
Don’t worry! China is on target and soon we will get a breakthrough.
2. Kidney failure.
The only option today is to continue dialysis life long till you get a genetically matching organ. Even a 90% match can be rejected by your immune system after a successful transplant.
In future we can have labs with lines of shelves displaying the genetic make up of stem cells they stock. A ready-made stem cell store.
As you approach the counter, Cas9 can edit the gene of a cell and fine tune it to a perfect match for you.
Presto! Now we can grow your kidneys in the lab. A perfect match and 200% more efficient than your original kidney. A better life.
3. Insulin
Days were there when we have to sacrifice 2 to 3 pigs for one man’s insulin. Only millionaires could afford insulin therapy then. Today we are manufacturing insulin in the factories thanks to genetically modified GM bacteria. Thanks to them, Insulin therapy has become universally affordable.
One day Cas9 will help us manufacturing matching organs so that the organ donation concept will be a thing of past.
Dr Ramakanta's Ideas 