Gene editing gets real

BBC Inside Science

BBC

Technology, Science

4.5 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2021

⏱️ 33 minutes

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Summary

For the first time the gene editing technique CRISPR has been used by injecting the CRISPR instructions into the bloodstream rather than directly into the affected organ. In a trial, six adult patients showed improvements after the treatment was used to prevent the expression of deformed proteins associated with a genetic disease. The hope is this method could treat a range of other genetic diseases, says Megan Molteni from Stat News. In the near future domestic gas boilers may be replaced by heat pumps. However, a district heating system in London is already installing the pumps in a scheme which should see 50% reductions in their carbon emissions. We visited the Citigen site to see how the plan would work, and discussed the potential for domestic heat pump roll out with Simon Evans from Carbon Brief. And why watermelons, wildflowers and pollinating insects can benefit from less attention. Evidence from Florida on how reducing methods associated with intensive farming chime with initiatives here in Britain to replace grass verges with banks of wildflowers. Researcher John Ternest picks up the story.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to introduce myself.
0:03.7	My name's Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport podcasts.
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0:12.2	pundits and the biggest sport stars.
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0:28.8	dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:31.4	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:36.1	Hello, hello, I'm Guy Evans and this is the podcast edition of BBC Inside Science, first
0:42.8	broadcast on the 1st of July 2021.
0:46.7	Doctors have managed to treat people suffering from a genetic disorder by injecting a novel
0:52.8	gene editing treatment directly into their bloodstream.
0:56.8	We'll look at what it means for the remarkable CRISPR technology and we'll be boring deep
1:03.3	below the ancient streets of London to mine precious heat in a bid to decarbonise heating
1:08.9	and cooling across the city.
1:11.4	And Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how do your watermelons grow?
1:16.8	Far better when planted with a bank of wildflowers it turns out.
1:21.4	First, that news of a genetic engineering breakthrough.
1:26.2	Six adults with a rare and fatal genetic disorder called amyloidosis seem to have been treated
1:31.9	successfully through injections into their blood of the CRISPR Cas9 technology and this
	...

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