CRISPR Gene Editing Fixes Muscular Dystrophy in Dogs. Are Humans Next? - Alma Alvarado- Cabrera

Duchenne is a disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which codes for a protein for a normal muscle function. People born with Duchenne are eventually confined to wheelchairs as muscle weakens and in major stages, many rely on Ventilators as their diaphragm muscles stop working which causes problems breathing and even heart failure. Researcher Eric Olson, professor and chair of molecular Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and his team ''fixed'' the mutated dystrophin in four dogs and used CRISPR to correct the genetic defect that causes Duchenne Muscular dystrophy in four Beagles bred with the causing gene. This was their first time trying in on a large animal, previous studies had been tested on rodents. Olson tried two different methods of injecting CRISPR molecular scissors , with two dogs he injected the CRISPR technology directly into the muscle and in the other two dogs he injected the CRISPR into the bloodstream so it could travel in the body  and have more of an effect on other muscles and limps to the heart and diaphragm. CRISPR being injected directly into the muscle made a big effect. A study was made later encouraging string of results on applying CRISPR to treat human disease.

UT Southwestern Medical center , August 30,2018 TIME magazine , people in the Medical field keep discovering new ways to cure diseases and keep experimenting till this day. I knew that Beagles bred are usually known for having issues with their muscles and dogs have been used for testing. It opened my mind to an specific Muscular disease and the process of being cured. The process and imagery affected my understanding and interpretation of the way genetics are a huge deal to causing diseases. There's been several diseases since the beginning of time ( Columbian exchange)  we've made it this far as we cure diseases and new ones are being introduced everyday. This was written to the public and for people that suffer from this or know someone that suffers from this disease. It is a positive influence, it gives the audience hope. Alice Park is the Author of this article she focuses on the medical section of TIME magazine and has hope herself to this new hopeful solution. This article was written to inform us and introduce us to a solution that might cure many people with Duchenne. This brings to the table the CRISPR technology and is important to even maybe cure other diseases out there . There will be more studying and experimenting done before approving this method.

http://time.com/5382101/crispr-muscular-dystrophy-in-dogs/