Question 1

What is CRISPR technology?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR is a tool that scientists use to change DNA, which is like the instruction book for living things. It helps them fix or change parts of the DNA.

Question 2

How does CRISPR work?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR works like a pair of scissors. It finds the part of the DNA that needs changing, cuts it, and then lets it be fixed or changed.

Question 3

Who discovered CRISPR?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR was discovered by scientists who were studying bacteria. They found that bacteria use CRISPR to remember viruses and defend themselves.

Question 4

What can CRISPR do?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR can turn off bad genes, fix broken ones, or add new ones. This could help treat diseases or improve plants and animals.

Question 5

Can CRISPR cure diseases?

Accepted Answer

Scientists are trying to use CRISPR to fix genes that cause diseases. It's still being tested, but it has helped some people and animals already.

Question 6

Is CRISPR safe?

Accepted Answer

Scientists are working hard to make CRISPR safe. They have to make sure it only changes the right parts of the DNA and doesn't cause other problems.

Question 7

What is DNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA is the special code in our bodies that tells our cells how to grow and work. It's what makes you, you!

Question 8

Why is CRISPR important?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR is important because it can help us learn more about diseases and maybe even cure them. It can also help make better crops to feed more people.

Question 9

How do scientists use CRISPR on plants?

Accepted Answer

Scientists can use CRISPR to make plants grow better or resist bugs. They do this by changing the plant's DNA to make them stronger or more tasty.

Question 10

What does CRISPR mean?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR stands for 'Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats'. That's a long name, but it describes the special pattern found in the DNA of bacteria.

Question 11

Can CRISPR be used on animals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, CRISPR can be used on animals to study diseases or try and help them. Scientists want to make animals healthier and sometimes to help them grow better.

Question 12

Why do some people worry about CRISPR?

Accepted Answer

Some people worry because CRISPR changes DNA, and we need to make sure that's safe for everyone and everything. We also have to decide which changes are okay to make.

Question 13

What is a gene?

Accepted Answer

A gene is a tiny part of DNA that tells our body how to make proteins. Proteins help build what we look like and how our body works.

Question 14

Can CRISPR change humans?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR can change the genes in human cells, which could help with some diseases. But scientists are very careful about using it on people to make sure it's safe and fair.

Question 15

How old is CRISPR technology?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR was discovered in bacteria in the 1980s, but scientists started using it as a tool in the 2000s. It's pretty new in the science world.

Question 16

What are some cool things CRISPR can do?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR can help grow food that's more resistant to pests and diseases and even bring extinct animals back to life! It's a small tool with big possibilities.

Question 17

How do scientists decide where to cut the DNA with CRISPR?

Accepted Answer

Scientists use a guide made of RNA, which helps CRISPR know exactly where to cut. They're like tiny arrows pointing to the exact spot.

Question 18

What's the difference between CRISPR and regular gene editing?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR is faster and more precise than older ways of editing genes. It's like using advanced tools instead of simple ones for the job.

Question 19

Can CRISPR be used to change looks, like eye color?

Accepted Answer

In theory, CRISPR could be used to change things like eye color, but scientists are mostly focused on using it to help with health issues. There are a lot of rules about what changes should be allowed.

Question 20

How do scientists test CRISPR?

Accepted Answer

Scientists test CRISPR in labs using cells and sometimes animals to make sure it works correctly and is safe before considering it for humans. They do lots of experiments to get it just right.

The Basics of CRISPR Technology - 20 FAQs Explained Simply