Unnatural Selection and CRISPR Technology

Unnatural Selection

• Scientists are changing genetic traits in plants and animals.
• CRISPR is a simple, new gene-editing method.
• CRISPR could be used on humans.
• Evolution is the process of changes in plants and animals over time.
• "Steer" controls the direction of something, like evolution being affected by survival needs.
• "Upend" is to turn something over, in this case, turning traditional biological processes on their heads.
• "Alter" means to change something, such as altering different species.
• "Species" are groups of similar organisms that can produce offspring.
• "Transgenic" organisms have genetic material from unrelated organisms.
• "Fluorescent" describes something that glows brightly.
• "Jellyfish" are a type of animal that glows.
• CRISPR is a new gene editing tool.
• It's faster, cheaper and more accurate to previous techniques.
• CRISPR has many possible useful uses.
• "Game changer" refers to something that causes a significant change in how things are done.
• A scalpel is small, sharp knife (sometimes detachable blade) used for surgery.
• A cleaver is a thick knife used for chopping meat.
• A gene is a part of a cell that influences an organism's traits.
• A trait is an inherited characteristic.

Gene Editing Procedure & Applications

• PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis) identifies specific genes in embryos.
• Diseases and traits like eye color can be identified.
• Embryos are in early stages of development.
• Drooping is a slumping position or behavior.
• "Formulate" means to create something with careful thought.
• A "fruit fly" is attracted to rotting fruit.
• A "bristle" is a stiff hair.
• "Biopsy" is a tissue sample taken from a living organism.
• A "chromosome" contains genes that control how an organism grows.
• "Fertilize" an egg means to make it able to grow.
• Sperm is the cell that fertilizes the egg.
• "Yolk" is the food source for an embryo.
• "Genomics" is the study of genomes.
• "Paving the way" makes progress easier.
• A funnel directs things into a confined passage.
• A "slippery slope" refers to an unstoppable series of negative events.
• An "arms race" is an escalating competition.