Real-Life X-Men: How CRISPR Could Give You Superpowers in the Future
How CRISPR technology changes the genomics industry and what consequences it has.
Can CRISPR technology lead to the creation of real superheroes, such as heroes of the Marvel universe or DC? You may be shocked to learn that this is no longer an open question. People with superhuman abilities are already walking among us. In this article, you will learn about how CRISPR can turn the next generation into superhumans who choose their abilities from the catalog.
It seems that every time a new X-Men movie comes out, the world turns to science to ask if it will be possible to create a generation of X-Men in the future and when. First you need to understand what abilities we are talking about before answering these questions.
Could Real Human Mutations Like the X-Men Exist?
The films suggest that the X-Men are people with a number of mutations scattered throughout their genome. The question is whether real mutations in human genomes can lead to the existence of superheroes.
Evolution determines the diversity of all life on Earth. Over millions of years of genetic changes, dinosaurs grew wings to become birds, monkeys straightened their spines to evolve into humans, and ancient land mammals crawled into the water to produce what would eventually become modern whales. The fact that mutations occur all the time makes the possibility of mutations carrying superpowers inevitable.
Let’s see what superpowers the characters of “X-Men” have, and whether it is possible that they were caused by genetic mutations.
Wolverine — is an animal with acute senses, lack of aging and the ability to self–heal after any injury
Apocalypse — immortality and full control over the molecules in his body, allowing him to change his physical form
Mysticism — is the transformation into any person, as well as the ability to copy his voice
Storm — full and total weather control over vast territories
All of these seem to be pretty powerful superpowers. Considering that such a simple thing as skin color is determined by more than one gene in humans, it is hard to believe in genetic mutations that lead to such complex processes as shape change, self-healing and weather control.
But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
How CRISPR Could Create a Generation of X-Men?
Assuming that the X-Men are people, it is quite possible that CRISPR technology can become the path that will allow us to accelerate evolution on our own and direct it in the right direction. Gene editing mediated by the CRISPR-Cas9 system allows us to be more precise than ever when manipulating genetic material, and this field continues to develop rapidly. But what is CRISPR itself?
CRISPR is a technology that can be used to edit genes. The essence of CRISPR is simple: it’s a way of finding a specific bit of DNA inside a cell. After that, the next step in CRISPR gene editing is usually to alter that piece of DNA. However, CRISPR has also been adapted to do other things too, such as turning genes on or off without altering their sequence. But let simply assume, that CRISPR can find particular place in genome and change the sequence in it (make artificial mutation).
CRISPR’s talents are vast, and in the future, perhaps this technology can also be used to reproduce non-human abilities now.
This does not mean at all that someone should perform genomic engineering on a superhuman scale, even if it were possible, but thanks to CRISPR, there is already a mechanism with which very precise intervention in the human genome is possible.
And yet these opportunities are not about superpowers, but about the elimination of shortcomings. Researchers are already working to eliminate monogenic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease, as well as sickle cell anemia. CRISPR is fast becoming a part of our daily lives.
Finally
With great power comes great responsibility
— Ben Parker (uncle of Spider-Men)
I want to recognize that CRISPR technologies are extremely powerful tools, and with them comes not only benefits. People should take care of their data and especially of their extra-sensetive data.
However, look at those wonderful, wonderful opportunities that open doors on the way to a wonderful new world.
Be human, do science 🕊
