FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
The Nobel prizes both in Medicine and Chemistry this year went to Biochemists cum Microbiologists for their path breaking scientific researches in the field of genetic engineering and molecular biology. Emmannuella La Charpentier of Max Planck Institute in Berlin and Jennifer Dou-dna of University of Berkeley in USA have earned the Nobel prize for their invention of a biological scissor, which can cut the genes right from those from bacteria up to the human genome, at a precise site in the DNA, of the 24 duplex chromosomes in humans. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), is an unique piece of DNA sequence existing repeatedly in all forms of life, right from the viruses up to the man. It was only in 2012 the two Nobel laureates mentioned above used the knowledge of the CRISPR gene to prepare the most powerful genetic scissors in human history to study as to how bacteria defend themselves against bacteriophages (viruses that destroy bacteria by lysing them) but use this to carry out gene profiling, editing and downstream processing of human genome too. Just as computers have revolutionised word processing and empowered mankind with artificial intelligence, the CRISPR technology is today used in all walks of biotechnology. The plant geneticists use it to produce gene modified crops and fruits, vegetables, etc. The animal gene engineers are using it to modify genes of fish, poultry and cattle and the medical fraternity is cheering up to the fact that over 200 genetic diseases in human beings is now under the controlled correction of the “gene scissors”.
All across the globe, we now recognise that Mother Nature, although seems extremely complex, took 3000 million years to evolve to man from bacteria. We see today, there are intensive and extensive similarity coefficient in the basic code of life, present in the RNA and the DNA of all the living creatures.
In classical genetic, in which he was able to determine the colours of the flowers, eyes, hair and the genetic traits including yield, productivity through natural selection, but delve straight into the exciting world of gene controlled agriculture, animal husbandry and human medicine for the future, including delaying the process of ageing in mankind.
Although it is complex, in the USA, Europe and Japan, this genetic engineering tool is now available to biotechnology students. The developed countries are using it not only to guide bacterial mutation and gene editing, but also to study the secrets of the ‘one point mutations’ in human beings like the sickle cell anemia, muscular dystrophy, cystitis, fibrosis and a host of plant, animal and human disorders, as well as in improving the phenotypic traits. The use of Luciferin gene in all living forms of life would give gene doctors the power to allow the recipient cells to emit ‘light’. This is exactly what the Moderna Vaccine is capable of doing. If given the licence to do so, this is available as Luciferin technology.
The purpose of light emission through vaccination would allow the government to monitor the activities of the subjects as well as keep track of the medical, social and political history of the recipient. The tracking heart, kidney, pancreatic, lung problems, early detection of cataract, cancers, diabetes and the host of physiological problems in blood, organs and glands secreting hormones is a child’s play due to the applications CAS-CRISPR technology.
In Boston alone, there are over 1000 start-up preparing kits and tools for applications of gene technology. Today, in Goa, we are using the outdated plasma technology and applying the use of ventilators to treat COVID-19 patients. These are causing deaths due to contamination and secondary infections. The use of ACE technology through gene manipulation is what would keep COVID-19 under control. We know Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) is present at all the main epithelial sites in the organs in our body, which include the lungs, kidneys, liver, in particular. It is here the viruses causing COVID-19 specially dock using the spike proteins and using the membrane lipids and proteins, be it in the nose, throat, mouth, larynx and the human organs, to integrate with the human RNAs, both messenger as well as the ribosomal RNAs to produce viral particles. In this process, the ability of the alveoli sacs are inactivated or made unable to exchange the toxic carbon dioxide and other biofouling chemicals in our bodies including uric acids, ketones, etc. And prevent us to inhale fresh oxygen. The biofouling caused by the use of contaminated, unwashed masks, cause secondary pneumococci, streptococci and toxic bacteria to disseminate in our blood and body fluids and organs. Thus, the patients die mostly due to suffocation and blood infection, rather than Covid-19 infectivity. The use of CAS-CRISPR technology would allow gene doctors to treat ACE sites and engineer the nucleotides in these epithelial cells to produce endo nucleases in the lungs, mouth, nose, etc, so that the viruses are detected instantaneously on entry and killed immediately through the use of gene technology. Of course, the specifics of this technology is that the guide RNA directs the CAS-CRISPR complex to the specific site in the genome. Thus eventually, not only would we be required to avoid or evade the use of toxic drugs in Covid-19 treatment but also, suppress cancerous tumours, sterilise mosquitos causing malaria, etc. Today, producing drought and pest free crop, nutritious and healthy too is now a reality. The capability of mankind to alleviating hunger and boosting immunity is now a done task. Work on turning cancer cells into normal cells is already achieved in mice and lower vertebrates. Preventing cancer studies is in full swing except in India, where we are busy studying the goodness of cow urine and dung. Let us herald the splicing and dicing Revolution for the good of Humanity and Biodiversity proliferation.
(The writer is a retired University Professor and an Environmental Activist)
