What is a concise description of CRISPR-Cas9 and its ethical considerations?

What is a concise description of CRISPR-Cas9 and its ethical considerations?

• A. CRISPR uses guide RNA to direct Cas9 to specific DNA sequences to cut; enables targeted edits; raises safety and justice concerns.
• B. CRISPR measures gene expression.
• C. CRISPR randomly mutates genomes without targeting.
• D. CRISPR merges species with no ethical concerns.

Answer: (A)

CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene-editing tool that uses a short guide RNA to direct the Cas9 enzyme to a specific DNA sequence, where Cas9 makes a cut and enables precise edits. This description is the best match because it conveys both the targeted mechanism and the resulting ability to modify the genome, which is exactly what the technique does. The ethical dimension comes from what happens after the edit—safety concerns like off-target changes and unintended effects, as well as broader questions about justice, access, and potential misuse in medicine or enhancement. The other options miss essential parts: measuring gene expression isn’t the primary function of standard CRISPR editing; CRISPR is about targeted changes rather than random mutations; and talking about merging species with no ethical concerns ignores both the real capabilities and the real social considerations.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene-editing tool that uses a short guide RNA to direct the Cas9 enzyme to a specific DNA sequence, where Cas9 makes a cut and enables precise edits. This description is the best match because it conveys both the targeted mechanism and the resulting ability to modify the genome, which is exactly what the technique does. The ethical dimension comes from what happens after the edit—safety concerns like off-target changes and unintended effects, as well as broader questions about justice, access, and potential misuse in medicine or enhancement. The other options miss essential parts: measuring gene expression isn’t the primary function of standard CRISPR editing; CRISPR is about targeted changes rather than random mutations; and talking about merging species with no ethical concerns ignores both the real capabilities and the real social considerations.