In 2012, scientists discovered a groundbreaking tool called CRISPR-Cas9, a molecular system that allows researchers to edit DNA with unprecedented precision. What was once science fiction quickly became reality, ushering in a revolution in genetics and medicine.
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CRISPR works like a pair of molecular scissors guided by RNA. It can cut DNA at a specific location, allowing scientists to remove, insert, or modify genetic material. This technology has opened possibilities for curing genetic diseases that were previously untreatable. Conditions such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy could one day be corrected at the genetic level.