How did humans initially engineer life for thousands of years?

• Through selective breeding of plants and animals.

• By directly manipulating DNA in laboratories.

• By exposing organisms to radiation to induce mutations.

• By inserting DNA snippets into bacteria and plants.

What method did scientists use in the 1960s to attempt to create useful plant variations?

• Inserting specific genes into plant cells.

• Bombarding plants with radiation to cause random mutations.

• Cross-breeding different plant species.

• Using advanced gene-editing tools like CRISPR.

What does the acronym CRISPR stand for in the context of gene editing?

• Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats

• Cellular Replication and Integrated System Protocol

• Controlled RNA Interference for Specific Proteins

• Complex Regulatory Information Sequencing Program

What is a key advantage of CRISPR technology compared to older genetic manipulation techniques?

• It is only effective on microorganisms.

• It is less precise and more expensive.

• It allows for editing live cells and targeting specific DNA sequences.

• It can only switch genes off, not on.

What significant achievement was made using CRISPR in 2015 regarding HIV?

• It was used to create a vaccine for HIV.

• Scientists successfully removed the HIV virus from living cells of patients in a lab setting.

• It completely cured HIV in human patients.

• It prevented HIV infection in rats.

What is the primary cause of over 3,000 genetic diseases that CRISPR aims to address?

• Viral infections that damage DNA.

• Environmental factors and lifestyle choices.

• A single incorrect letter in the DNA sequence.

• The accumulation of damage to cells over time.

What is a major ethical concern associated with using CRISPR on reproductive cells or early embryos?

• It is too expensive for widespread use.

• The modifications would only affect the individual and not be passed on.

• It could lead to irreversible changes in the human gene pool, potentially creating "designer babies."

• The technology is not yet advanced enough to be effective.

What is a potential benefit of engineered humans?

• Enhanced artistic abilities

• Immunity to most diseases

• Ability to communicate telepathically

• Increased need for sleep

What is a current challenge associated with CRISPR technology?

• It is too expensive for widespread use.

• It can only be used on plants, not animals or humans.

• It can cause wrong edits or trigger unwanted changes in DNA.

• The technology is not yet powerful enough to make any changes.