CRISPR is an acronym for clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats. In the late 1980s, Japanese researchers found genetic repeats in the human genome but its utility in the body was unknown. That uncertainty soon changed. It was learned that the body retains a chemical snapshot of an invading virus so that if the same virus again attacks the body, defenses are mobilized against the invader. This war between bacterial defenders and viral attackers has been taking place for as long we humankind has been in existence.

Once it was learned of this natural mechanism, scientists realized that the same mechanism, known as CAS-9, can be harnessed to combat disease. How so? CAS-9 has received worldwide scientific and media attention because of its enormous potential to permanently eradicate human disease. This technology edits genes by redirecting the body's natural defenses to combat disease. The resulting change cures the patient but also affects the patient's progeny for all time. Used correctly, the body’s natural fighting mechanism can be harnessed to identify the disease as the enemy with human health overcoming dread diseases. Used in this manner, the potential to totally eradicate the disease is within grasp.

The problem with such genetic methodology is that use of CRISPR is permanent because the person’s genetic composition has now been altered. If the person has children, they will inherit the modified genetic makeup, and that change will continue into the future.

The necessity of ethical considerations of this technology is of paramount importance as scientists rewrite genetic information. Although medical science has advanced significantly, the inherent dangers of using such a powerful and permanent technology demand careful review so the effects are understood before being implemented.

This review, therefore, reflects a cautionary approach. Meddling with our genetic makeup may sound exciting but its permanency is a prompt to deeply reflect on the proposed change(s) because once adopted in the genetics of a patient, its effects cannot be altered.