CRISPR CREATES GENETICALLY MODIFIED WEAPON

Our official research team often suggests that the inevitable zombie virus may be the result of a genetically modified virus; something akin to a superbug created by science rather than a naturally occurring mutation. However, scientists would probably have to edit or combine a number of different diseases, pathogens, and viruses to even come close. And most of these deadly bugs don’t play well together because they’re simply not designed to be compatible.

At least that was the case until 2015, when the genome-editing tool known as CRISPR was finally awarded by the American Association for the Advancement of Science as their official Breakthrough of the Year. Similar methods had been in use since the 1980s. But a recent article via NPR admits that scientists are currently modifying viruses using CRISPR to create a “new weapon” that they claim will help them win an “arms race” against resistant bacteria.

Granted, the goal of companies like Locus Biosciences may be noble, and perhaps even help humanity fight the inevitable zombie virus one day. But if that’s the case, they might want to invest in a public relations firm to handle their interviews from now on. Because when they gleefully compare their new creation to a “potent killer” they really come across as madmen!

The approach, developed by Locus Biosciences of Morrisville, N.C., involves viruses known as bacteriophages (called phages for short). Phages are the natural enemies of bacteria. They can infect and destroy bacteria by reproducing in large numbers inside them until the microbes literally explode.

“What we’ve learned how to do is reprogram that immune system to attack itself,” says Paul Garofolo, the company’s CEO. “We load the viruses up with CRISPR constructs, which essentially work like little Pac-Men. They go into a target bacteria cell, and they chew up the DNA of that target. It makes them much more potent killers.”

These new antibiotics are actually made out of viruses that have been genetically twisted and modified using the gene-editing tool CRISPR. Of course, not everyone is thrilled about such unnatural experiments. Graham Hatfull, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, actually specializes in phage research; and he is worried that we don’t completely understand bacteriophages. In fact, he believes that such experiments “could essentially end up converting harmless bacteria into potentially dangerous ones”. Unfortunately, we agree…

The inevitable zombie apocalypse may not be the result of some sinister scientific experiment conducted by madmen, but rather funded by a zealous corporate laboratory that sees itself in an “arms race” against their competitors. After all, the infamous Umbrella Corporation began its life in 1968 as a simple pharmaceutical company. And we all know how that turned out!

Despite these concerns, Michael Priebe, who heads the spinal cord injury service at the VA medical center, intends to infuse cocktails containing billions of phages genetically modified with CRISPR into patients twice a day for seven days at six centers around the United States.

Obviously the intent is to help patients, and we certainly hope that is the case. But be warned; there are currently twenty patients receiving a “cocktail” of genetically modified viruses. It’s a brave new world of genetic manipulation, and this is only what they’ve decided to declassify.

CRISPR is a wonderfully dangerous tool, and we recommend that you read the original article “Scientists Modify Viruses With CRISPR To Create New Weapon Against Superbugs” available online by author Rob Stein via NPR to learn more. But please note that phrases like “weapon”, “arms race”, and even “potent killers” are apparently meant to be viewed in a positive light.

Of course, you could always go and view the brilliantly deceptive propaganda video created by Locus Biosciences themselves. The high production values that proclaim CRISPR-Cas3 can “shred DNA beyond repair” is pretty impressive, not to mention frightening. But we’ll keep an eye on these untested clinical trials in the future; because what you don’t know can eat you!