- gene editing is real now, not sci-fi
we can literally edit human dna to treat disease. it’s already approved, already being used. not in the far future, but now. - crispr-cas9 is the tool behind it
found in bacteria, crispr acts like precision scissors for dna. it lets scientists go into the genome and make changes at specific spots.
source: doudna & charpentier, science 2012 - first real therapy: casgevy
approved in the us and uk in 2023. used to treat sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. both are genetic blood disorders with no real cure until now.
source: fda approval + nejm trial data - does it actually work
yes, and results are crazy
29 out of 30 people with sickle cell had no pain crises for over a year
39 out of 42 people with thalassemia stopped needing transfusions
source: frangoul et al., nejm 2021 - how the treatment works
- blood stem cells are taken from the patient
- crispr turns on a backup gene called fetal hemoglobin
- chemo clears out the old bone marrow
- edited cells go back in
result is often a long-term fix
- where looks come into play
this tech works on the root level. genes. that means it could potentially affect physical traits in the future
stuff like:
- skin aging
- hair loss
- jaw growth
- fat storage
- even height (in theory)
nothing like this is legal yet for looks. but the base tools exist
- somatic vs germline
somatic = body cells only. doesn't pass to kids. this is what we use now
germline = edits embryos, sperm, or eggs. permanent. passes to next generations
germline is banned in over 70 countries. still way too risky - for now it's medical only
current trials are on blindness, cancer, chronic pain, genetic disorders, etc
nothing cosmetic. but like always, tech moves from survival to enhancement eventually. especially if it gets cheaper and safer
site to check trials: clinicaltrials.gov - what went wrong in china
in 2018, a researcher edited embryos to be hiv-resistant. resulted in 2 births
the science was shaky, no proper consent, long-term risks unknown
global backlash followed. guy got jailed
source: nature coverage 2022 - real talk for looksmaxxin
we’re not editing for aesthetics yet, but this is the path.
not surgery, not skincare, not hormones. actual blueprint-level change
nothing is on the table right now for height, jaw, skin, etc
but if you’re thinking long-term, this is where the game shifts - for now
- stay realistic. no legit “beauty edits” exist yet
- follow the tech. it's evolving fast
- if you want to get ahead, learn where this is going
- when it does open up, early understanding will matter
resources:
crisprtx.com
scge.org
broadinstitute.org
