Genetic Editing vs Genetic Engineering
What’s the difference?
This very question put me through mutiple rabbit holes! 🕳️🐇
Here’s hours of research papers, videos and more composed into a short, sweet article! Keep reading to find the verdict – >
Really quick, before we discuess the dofferent between genetic editing and genetic engineering, let’s dicuss them both.
Genetic editing
Genetic editing is the process of modifying DNA and can by adding, removing, or changing specific sequences of any given organism. The goal of genetic editing is to introduce new traits or characteristics into an organism or, it can also be used to remove unwanted material. Though many sub-techniques exists, the most common as well as succesful method involves using specialized enzymes to cut, copy and paste DNA sequences.
The most well-known genetic editing tool is CRISPR-Cas9, which stands for (get ready for it!) Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. The 9 represents a specialized protein guided towards the sequence in question. This system allows scientists to precisely target and cut specific sequences of DNA within a cell’s genome.
Quick run-down on the process – >
For the sake of this article, I’ll be discussing the process of the CRISPR-Cas9 technique though most gene editing techniques contain around the same cycle. CRISPR is based on the natural defense mechanism used by bacteria to protect themselves against viruses. When a virus infects a bacterium, the bacterium captures a piece of the virus’s DNA and incorporates it into its own genome. This piece of viral DNA is then used as a template to produce RNA molecules that can recognize and cut the viral DNA if it invades the bacterium again in the future.
Through the creation of synthetic RNA molecules that match the sequence of the DNA needed to be cut, RNA molecules can be introduced into a cell along with the Cas9 protein. The Cas9 protein acts like a pair of molecular scissors, cutting the DNA at the location specified by the RNA molecule.
Once the DNA is cut, the cell’s natural DNA repair mechanisms kick in to fix the damage. Scientists can use this repair process to introduce new sequences of DNA into the genome. For example, they can introduce a new gene that codes for a desired trait or they can replace a defective gene with a healthy one.
Snipet on other systems
In addition to the CRISPR-Cas9 system, there are other genetic editing tools that can be used to modify DNA in different ways. One such tool is called TALEN, which stands for Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases. TALENs work by binding to specific sequences of DNA and cutting them with an enzyme called a nuclease.Another tool is called ZFN, which stands for Zinc Finger Nucleases. ZFNs work by using zinc finger proteins to recognize and bind to specific sequences of DNA, and then cutting the DNA with a nuclease.
Genetic Engineering
Similar to genetic editing, genetic engineering is an umbrella term of the process of manipulating an organism’s genetic material.
There are several methods are used for genetic engineering but being an umbrella term, CRISPR Cas9 also falls underneath this category alongside techniques which use gene isolation (growing a seperate gene), synthetic insertion (inserting a gene from one orgamism to another) and more.
Soooo… what’s the Difference?
The above is a bit confusing but don’t worry, it makes sense – >
We’ve already established that genetic editing and genetic engineering are both techniques used to modify an organism’s genetic material, but there are important differences between the two.
Specifically, genetic editing refers to the precise modification of an organism’s DNA at a specific location in the genome, using techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, or ZFNs. With genetic editing, specific genes can be added, deleted, or modified, which can result in precise changes to the organism’s characteristics.
On the other hand, genetic engineering refers to a broader range of techniques used to manipulate an organism’s genetic material, including genetic editing. Genetic engineering techniques may involve the insertion of genes from one organism into another, the deletion of genes, the modification of gene expression, or the manipulation of the organism’s entire genome.
A key difference between genetic editing and genetic engineering is the level of precision. Genetic editing allows for highly precise and specific changes to the genome, while genetic engineering may involve more general or broad changes. Genetic editing is also often used to correct or repair mutations in a single gene, while genetic engineering is used to introduce new traits or characteristics into an organism.
Something to note is the level of control over the genetic modification. Genetic editing is highly controlled and specific, allowing for precise changes to be made to the genome. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, may involve less control over the genetic modification, as it may be more difficult to predict the effects of introducing new genes or modifying gene expression.
Though both terms can be used interchangeably to a certain extent, both have specified deliverables that must be noted. Furthermore, each one comes with quite a bit of controversy alongside a heated conversation regarding ethics and moral values.
See! Not so bad :)
TL;DR
- Both are revolutionary, highly useful techniques
- Genetic editing = More precision
- Genetic engineering = Board, larger changes
- Terms are sometimes used interchangeably
- Shared ethical concerns
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