Page 9 - GPD-3-1

Gene & Protein in Disease

REVIEW ARTICLE
Advancing CRISPR technologies in reproductive

biology

4
1†
Shiza Hanif , Hamid Nawaz , Ali Afzal 2,3† , Umair Ali Khan Saddozai ,
1†
Muhammad Babar Khawar *, and Xinying Ji *
5,6
1,4
1 Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences,
University of Narowal, Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan
2 Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciensces,
Guangdong Province, China
3 Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and
Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
4 Institute of Translation Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
5 Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan,
China
6 Department of Medicine, Huaxian County People’s Hospital, Huaxian, Henan, China

Abstract

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology, a
transformative tool for genetic modifications, gene therapy, and treating various
genetic diseases, has recently garnered significant attention for its applications
in reproductive biology. In this realm, researchers are focusing on addressing
† These authors contributed equally
to this work. gynecological disorders, refining assisted reproductive methods, and conducting
precise germ cell editing. The potential impact of CRISPR in these areas is monumental;
*Corresponding authors: however, several research gaps persist, demanding further investigation into
Muhammad Babar Khawar
(babarkhawar@yzu.edu.cn) the long-term effects, safety implications, and unintended consequences of its
Xinying Ji applications in reproductive biology. Refining the precision and specificity of CRISPR
(10190096@vip.henu.edu.cn) technology is a critical aspect that necessitates addressing challenges such as
Citation: Hanif S, Nawaz H, Afzal A, off-target effects and cytotoxicity. These considerations underscore the urgency for
Saddozai UAK, Khawar MB, Ji X. ongoing research efforts to ensure the efficacy and safety of CRISPR applications.
Advancing CRISPR technologies
in reproductive biology. Gene In addition, the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks and oversight
Protein Dis. 2024;3(1):2701. mechanisms specific to CRISPR in reproductive contexts is imperative to guarantee
https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2701 the responsible and ethical use of this powerful technology. This comprehensive
Received: January 10, 2024 review delves into the advantages of CRISPR over traditional gene editing methods,
Accepted: February 2, 2024 providing insights into its applications in embryos, pluripotent stem cells, and
Published Online: March 25, 2024
germline cells. It further explores the risks and limitations associated with CRISPR,
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). including ethical concerns related to designer babies and eugenics. The article sheds
This is an Open-Access article light on the regulatory landscape governing new CRISPR applications in reproductive
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution biology, emphasizing the continuous improvements in the efficiency and specificity
License, permitting distribution, of CRISPR technology. In contributing to the ongoing discourse, this review aims to
and reproduction in any medium, inform and guide the responsible and effective application of CRISPR in the dynamic
provided the original work is
properly cited. field of reproductive biology.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Keywords: CRISPR; Reproduction; Germ line editing; Gynecological disorders;
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Ethical concerns
affiliations.

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2024) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.2701