By the Fancy Comma, LLC Team
Science-trained copywriters have a major role to play in explaining gene editing technology to the public and various parties involved in its ethical advancement.
In the ever-evolving world of biotechnology, groundbreaking discoveries like CRISPR/Cas9 have revolutionized genetic research and opened up new possibilities for medical treatments. CRISPR/Cas9, in short, is a biological “cut-and-paste” which enables gene editing. As Redman and colleagues wrote in 2016, CRISPR/Cas9 “makes it possible to correct errors in the genome and turn on or off genes in cells and organisms quickly, cheaply and with relative ease.”
As a biotech copywriter, it’s crucial to understand and effectively communicate these complex scientific advancements to various audiences. Let’s delve into the Nobel Prize-winning work of Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier on CRISPR/Cas9 and talk about the role of science-trained communicators in helping create beneficial use cases of this technology for society.
The Brilliant Minds Behind CRISPR/Cas9
Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors. Their collaboration began in 2011 when Charpentier, a microbiologist, reached out to Doudna, an expert in RNA biology. Charpentier was studying Streptococcus pyogenes, a harmful bacteria causing mild to life-threatening human disease when she identified a molecule called tracrRNA (pronounced “tracer RNA”), short for “trans-activating CRISPR RNA.” It turned out that tracrRNA is an ancient part of bacteria’s survival defenses; it dismantles viruses by cleaving their DNA, acting as “genetic scissors.”
After discovering tracrRNA, Charpentier reached out to Doudna, and together, they developed CRISPR/Cas9. The tracrRNA works only with viral DNA, but Charpentier and Doudna worked on a technology that could make cuts on any molecule of DNA at a predetermined location on the gene. From there, the DNA can be edited.
By the way, the powerful gene editing tool CRISPR/Cas9 gets its name as an abbreviation of the phrase “Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9.” CRISPR/Cas9 enables scientists to make precise changes to DNA sequences, effectively rewriting the code of life. The discovery of CRISPR/Cas9 has revolutionized genetic research, offering unprecedented possibility for gene-editing which has been applied to fields beyond medicine and biotechnology, such as in agriculture.
The Ethical Tightrope of Gene Editing
As a biotech copywriter, you will likely wade into some ethically murky areas such as the ethical considerations surrounding CRISPR/Cas9 technology. One of the most controversial applications came to light in 2018 when a Chinese scientist used CRISPR to edit human embryos, resulting in the birth of genetically modified twin babies. This event sparked intense debate about the ethical implications of human genome editing and highlighted the need for careful regulation and public discourse, which can be supported by the science communication work of science-trained communicators to help bring challenges to light to seek solutions.
CRISPR/Cas9 in Action: Current Applications
The potential applications of CRISPR/Cas9, often simply called “CRISPR,” are vast and continue to expand. Some current uses include:
- Cancer treatments: Researchers are exploring CRISPR-based therapies to target and eliminate cancer cells more effectively.
- Genetic treatments: The technology has shown promise in treating genetic disorders like sickle cell disease. In December 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first CRISPR/Cas9 gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease.
- Agricultural improvements: Scientists are using CRISPR to develop crops with enhanced traits, such as disease resistance and improved nutritional content.
- Infectious disease research: CRISPR is being used to study and potentially combat various pathogens, including viruses like HIV and SARS-CoV-2.
What is the Biotech Communicator’s Role in the Future of Gene Editing?
As a biotech copywriter, your role in explaining complex scientific concepts like CRISPR/Cas9 is crucial. Here’s why your expertise is invaluable:
- Translating scientific jargon: You bridge the gap between technical language and layman’s terms, making the science accessible to diverse audiences.
- Highlighting ethical considerations: Your writing can help frame the ethical debates surrounding gene editing technologies through nuanced communication of challenges and risks to balance out the optimism that naturally surrounds new technologies.
- Showcasing potential applications: By clearly communicating the possibilities of CRISPR/Cas9, you can help stakeholders understand its impact on various industries.
- Ensuring regulatory compliance: Your knowledge of the regulatory landscape helps create content that adheres to industry guidelines and regulations. Though CRISPR is a new area, it is one in which regulations are under development worldwide, and people skilled in both the science and its communication will be crucial in that effort.
- Building public trust: Clear, accurate, and engaging content about CRISPR/Cas9 can help build public understanding and trust in biotechnology.
A Better Biotech Future through Science-Informed Copywriting
As CRISPR/Cas9 and other biotechnology continues to advance, and science becomes more deeply embedded in our everyday lives, the need for skilled biotech copywriters will only grow. The ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts, address ethical concerns, and highlight potential applications will help shape public perception and drive innovation in biotech. Science communicators and those in biotech marketing can play a crucial part in advancing the field of biotechnology and shaping its future.
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