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CRISPR-Cas Changing Biology?

Baxter, Janella (2019) CRISPR-Cas Changing Biology? [Preprint]

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Abstract

Eugene V. Koonin argues that fundamental research of CRISPR-Cas mechanisms has (among other things) illuminated “fundamental principles of genome manipulation.” Koonin's discussion provides important philosophical insights for how we should understand the significance of CRISPR-Cas systems. Yet the analysis he provides is only part of a larger story. There is also a human element to the CRISPR-Cas story that concerns its development as a technology. Accounting for this part of CRISPR's history reveals that the story Koonin provides requires greater nuance. I'll show how CRISPR-Cas technologies are not “natural” genome editing systems, but (in part) artifacts of human ingenuity. Furthermore, I'll argue that the story of CRISPR-Cas is not “primarily about research into fundamental biological mechanisms”, but is instead about the intertwining of applied and fundamental research programs.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Baxter, Janellajanella.baxter@gmail.com
Keywords: CRISPR-Cas, genome engineering, basic and applied research
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics
General Issues > Experimentation
General Issues > Technology
Depositing User: Ms. Janella Baxter
Date Deposited: 12 May 2019 02:03
Last Modified: 12 May 2019 02:03
Item ID: 16004
DOI or Unique Handle: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10539-018-9663-x
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics
General Issues > Experimentation
General Issues > Technology
Date: 11 February 2019
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16004

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