According to a recent prediction by Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, mid-level engineers who write the company’s computer code will be replaced by AI. Even coding itself has been deemed outdated by Jensen Huang of NVIDIA.

Bill Gates acknowledges that the rapid advancement of AI is “profound and even a little bit scary,” but he also applauds the potential for it to make elite knowledge widely available. In his ideal world, AI will provide free, excellent medical advice and tutoring in place of programmers, physicians, and educators.

Despite the hype, artificial intelligence cannot act or “think” for itself at this time. In fact, the key question that determines whether AI improves learning or degrades comprehension is whether we should let AI simply forecast patterns or demand that it explain, justify, and be rooted in the rules of our world.

Artificial intelligence requires human judgment not only to oversee its output but also to incorporate scientific boundaries that provide it with guidance, stability, and interpretability. Physicist Alan Sokal recently likened AI chatbots to an oral exam taken by a mediocre student.

According to Sokal, a user may not pick up on an inaccurate chatbot unless they are extremely knowledgeable about a particular topic. That, in his opinion, sums up AI’s purported “knowledge” quite nicely. However, by anticipating word sequences, it simulates comprehension.

This makes it difficult for “creative” AI systems to tell what is real and what isn’t, and there are arguments over whether big language models can understand cultural nuances. Teachers concerned about AI tutors might impair students’ critical thinking skills, and doctors worried about algorithmic misdiagnosis are highlighting the same issue. Machine learning excels at identifying patterns, but it lacks the deep understanding that arises from systematic, cumulative human experience and the scientific method.

Here, a burgeoning AI movement provides a way forward. It focuses on directly integrating human knowledge into machine learning processes. MINNs (Mechanistically Informed Neural Networks) and PINNs (Physics-Informed Neural Networks) are two variants. The concept is straightforward, even though the names sound technical. Artificial intelligence improves when it complies with the laws of physics, biological systems, or social dynamics. Thus, people are still needed to produce knowledge as well as use it. AI functions best when it can learn.

An algorithm is programmed to adhere to accepted scientific principles rather than relying on historical data to make educated guesses about what works. Consider a family-run lavender farm in Indiana. Blooming time is crucial for businesses of this nature. Early or late harvesting weakens the potency of essential oils, lowering quality and profitability. It could be a waste of time for an AI to search through pointless patterns. But a MINN begins with the biology of plants. It makes accurate predictions promptly and with financial significance by using equations that relate blooming to heat, light, frost, and water. However, it only functions when it understands the workings of the chemical, biological, and physical worlds. Humans create science, which is the source of that knowledge.

Consider using this method to detect cancer: breast tumours produce heat due to increased blood flow and metabolism, allowing predictive artificial intelligence to identify tumours from thousands of thermal images using only patterns in the data. In contrast, a MINN, such as the one that was recently created by researchers at the Rochester Institute of Technology, incorporates bioheat transfer laws straight into the model using body-surface temperature data.

So, rather than speculating, it knows how heat flows through the body and can use the physics of heat flow through tissue to determine what’s wrong, what’s causing it, why, and exactly where it is. Based solely on the way cancer alters the body’s heat signature, a MINN was able to predict the location and size of a tumour in one instance within a few millimetres.

The message is very clear. People are still necessary. Our role is not going away as AI advances in sophistication. It is changing. An algorithm that generates strange, biased, or incorrect results must be called out by humans. That is not solely an AI shortcoming. It is the greatest human strength.

The increasing sophistication of AI is not the true danger. That is, we might cease applying our intelligence. Treating AI like an oracle runs the risk of making us lose our ability to think critically, ask questions, and spot illogical behaviour. Thankfully, this does not have to be how things turn out in the future.

Erik Otarola-Castillo, an associate professor of anthropology at Purdue University, said, “We can create systems that are open, comprehensible, and based on the body of human knowledge regarding ethics, culture, and science. Interpretable AI research can be funded by policymakers. Students who combine technical skills with domain knowledge can be trained by universities. Frameworks like MINNs and PINNs, which demand that models remain true to reality, are available for developers to use. Additionally, we as users, voters, and citizens have the power to insist that AI support science and objective truth rather than merely correlations.”

“After teaching scientific modelling and statistics at the university level for over ten years, I now concentrate on teaching students how algorithms function under the hood by learning the systems themselves rather than memorising them. Raising literacy in the related fields of science, math, and coding is the aim,” Erik added.

Today, this method is required. More people clicking “generate” on black-box models is not necessary. There is a need for people who can decipher the logic, code, and math of the AI and recognise its inaccuracies.

“Artificial intelligence won’t replace people or render education obsolete. However, if we lose the ability to think for ourselves and understand the importance of science and in-depth knowledge, we may replace ourselves. The decision is not about accepting or rejecting AI. It’s whether we’ll continue to be knowledgeable and astute enough to steer it,” Erik noted.

Meanwhile, the introduction of a Product Support Agent and the general release of Data Insights Agent are two recent developments in Adobe’s agentic AI tools. Enhancing troubleshooting and insight generation in Adobe Experience Platform applications is the goal of these tools. Marketers and customer experience specialists now have an interactive way to identify and fix problems in their marketing workflows thanks to the recently created Product Support Agent AI assistant.

Operational bottlenecks that frequently divert teams from strategic initiatives are addressed by the tool, according to the company. The agent helps by offering real-time direction, making it easier to create support cases, and allowing continuous case management through the AI assistant conversational interface.

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According to Rystad Energy research, flaring emissions from global upstream oil and gas production increased by 7% from 2022 to 2023. While upstream activities emitted about 1 gigatonne per year of carbon dioxide (CO2) in total, flaring contributed around 30% of those emissions in 2023, assuming 98% flaring efficiency on average.

“Flaring reduction is considered a low-hanging fruit for oil and gas companies trying to reduce their carbon footprint. However, this recent uptick underscores the challenges facing the industry, particularly in key producing countries such as Russia, Iran, and Iraq,” the study noted.

What causes gas to flare?

Despite being inefficient and harmful, flaring is still used today as a relatively safe way to dispose of the related gas from oil extraction. Using related gas frequently necessitates economically viable markets for businesses to invest in its capture, transportation, processing, and sale.

For safety reasons, flaring can be necessary. Oil and gas extraction and processing involve handling extremely high and variable pressures. An explosion could result from an abrupt or significant increase in pressure during crude oil extraction.

Although uncommon, oil and gas-related industrial mishaps can cause hazardous, catastrophic, and protracted fires that are challenging to contain and manage. By burning any extra gas, gas flaring enables operators to depressurise their machinery and control erratic and significant pressure fluctuations.
Technical and economic factors

Oil fields are frequently found in isolated, difficult-to-reach locations. In addition to being difficult to access, these locations might not consistently yield significant quantities of usable associated gas. This can make moving related gas to a processing and use location logistically and financially difficult.

If oil production sites are small and spread out over a wide area, the cost of capturing and using the accompanying gas is often considered too high, so the gas is usually flared. The local geology will occasionally permit the conservation of gas through re-injection back into the reservoir where its use is impractical. Nevertheless, even with recent technical advancements, this is not always possible.

Sometimes a nation’s rules and regulations may make it difficult or even prohibit businesses from commercialising associated gas, even when it is technically and economically possible to capture and use it. For instance, even when a business has obtained the rights to extract oil, it might not be able to use the gas produced during extraction. In other cases, regulations might not outline the commercial handling of related gas. As a result, there is legal uncertainty over the proper processing of related gas. Furthermore, laws that penalise businesses for flaring gas might not always succeed in stopping the practice, particularly if flaring and paying a fine is more profitable than capturing and selling the gas.

To stop frequent flaring and ensure that the related gas is put to good use, GFMR collaborates with governments to help develop appropriate laws and policies.

Effects on the environment

About 148 billion cubic metres of gas were burned in 2023 by thousands of gas flares at oil-producing facilities worldwide. Each cubic metre of associated gas flared produces roughly 2.6 kilogrammes of CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e), or more than 350 million tons of CO2e annually, assuming a “typical” composition of associated gas, a flare combustion efficiency of 98%, and a Global Warming Potential for methane of 28.

According to the “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,” the inefficiency of flare combustion produces methane emissions, a major cause of global warming that is especially potent in the short to medium term, since over 20 years methane is more than 80 times stronger than carbon dioxide as a warming gas.

The yearly CO2 equivalent emissions have risen by about 80 million tonnes as a result. Naturally, flaring is completely inefficient and far easier to prevent than many other kinds of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Utilising the gas could be beneficial and might even replace more polluting fuels like coal and diesel, which produce more pollutants per unit of energy.

In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, gas flares can generate black carbon, also referred to as soot. Even though black carbon only stays in the atmosphere for a few days or weeks, it has a significant, if short-term, impact on the climate.

It is created when fossil fuels are not completely burned. In the Arctic, where black carbon deposits are thought to accelerate the melting of snow and ice, this is particularly concerning. According to research by the “European Geosciences Union,” gas flaring emissions could be responsible for almost 40% of the Arctic’s yearly black carbon deposits.

The health risks

Communities surrounding oil fields suffer greatly from gas flaring, the burning of excessive natural gas during oil extraction.

Among the several harmful pollutants the process generates are particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulphur dioxide (SO2), benzene, black carbon, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Extended exposure to these toxins has been linked to cancer, pregnancy issues, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular problems, and other major medical conditions. Gas flaring’s health hazards disproportionately affect the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, among other vulnerable populations.

The aggravation of respiratory ailments is among the most immediate and obvious consequences of gas flaring. Large amounts of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, and sulphur dioxide produced by burning natural gas all worsen air pollution and compromise lung health. Small enough to pass deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream, PM2.5 particles cause inflammation, chronic bronchitis, and aggravation of illnesses, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Studies have linked high levels of PM2.5 to higher rates of emergency room visits and hospitalisations for respiratory problems in exposed communities. A 2021 study found that hospital admissions for respiratory-related diseases rose 0.73% for every 1% rise in flaring gas emissions. Additionally, nitrogen oxides can aggravate airways, lower lung capacity, and increase the risk of respiratory infections.

Furthermore, contaminants released during gas flaring greatly compromise cardiovascular health. Specifically, fine particulate matter has been associated with stroke, hypertension, and heart disease. These particles aggravate oxidative stress and systemic inflammation when inhaled, which can damage blood vessels and raise the risk of clot development. Long-term gas flaring-related air pollution exposure raises the risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, and heart attacks.

Sulphur dioxide, another pollutant produced during gas flaring, is known to have immediate cardiovascular effects, especially in those with pre-existing heart diseases. Studies have indicated that rises in SO2 levels correspond with increases in hospital admissions for heart attacks and strokes.

Additionally, benzene and other VOCs help form ground-level ozone, which has been linked to higher blood pressure and other cardiovascular symptoms.

Extended exposure to carcinogens, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX chemicals), increases the risk of cancer in communities near gas flaring sites. Particularly, benzene is a well-documented carcinogen directly linked to leukaemia and other blood diseases.

For instance, Basra, Iraq, where significant gas flaring occurs, has seen a sharp increase in cancer rates. The area recorded a 20% rise in cancer diagnoses between 2015 and 2018, a trend attributed to extended exposure to benzene and other harmful pollutants. Similarly, research conducted in the Niger Delta, one of the most severely impacted areas worldwide, has revealed increased leukaemia and other cancer rates in areas close to oil drilling facilities.

Another class of carcinogens generated during gas flaring, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can attach to DNA and induce mutations, causing cancer. By either direct inhalation or skin absorption, these toxins raise the likelihood of lung, liver, and other organ malignancies.

Adverse birth outcomes are far more likely for pregnant women living near gas flaring sites. Studies have connected low birth weights, preterm births, and birth abnormalities to air pollution from flaring. Pollutants such as VOCs and fine particulate matter can cause placental inflammation, disrupting fetal development and raising the risk of pregnancy problems.

Pregnant women living within three miles of oil and gas flaring facilities had a 50% higher risk of delivering prematurely, according to a study in Texas, than those living further away. Furthermore, benzene exposure is linked to a higher risk of stillbirths, spontaneous abortions, and developmental abnormalities in children.

Beyond pregnancy problems, gas flaring pollutants can also affect reproductive health. Heavy metals and endocrine-disrupting agents released during flaring can interfere with hormone production, leading to irregular periods, lower fertility, and a higher risk of miscarriages.

New studies point to strong neurological and cognitive consequences from gas flaring-related air pollution. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including lower IQ levels, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorders, have been linked to prolonged exposure to hazardous substances, including benzene, lead, and other heavy metals.

High levels of air pollution from flaring have been linked to cognitive decline, increased risk of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and higher rates of depression and anxiety among adults. Long-term cognitive and emotional problems can result from brain cell damage and impaired neurotransmitter activity caused by toxins.

Additionally, gas flaring emissions aggravate dermatological and ophthalmological problems. Skin irritation, rashes, and allergic reactions can result from sulphur oxides and other acidic pollutants. Fine particulates, such as black carbon, can severely irritate the eyes, induce redness, and increase susceptibility to infections. Prolonged exposure might worsen chronic skin disorders, including psoriasis and eczema.

Although gas flaring poses hazards to all exposed populations, some groups are more sensitive than others. Children’s lungs and immune systems are still developing; hence, they are more vulnerable to neurodevelopmental problems, asthma, and respiratory infections.

Elderly populations, especially those with prior heart or lung conditions, have a higher risk of hospitalisation and early death due to air pollution. Low-income neighbourhoods suffer most from gas flaring-related health issues, as they often lack access to sufficient healthcare and live near oil drilling sites.

Stricter regulations and enforcement of policies to reduce emissions are urgently needed due to the significant health risks associated with gas flaring. While oil firms could invest in greener methods to capture and use related gas rather than flaring it, governments must enforce strict air quality standards.

Reducing the impact of gas flaring on sensitive populations also depends on public health campaigns, medical monitoring of affected communities, and improved healthcare access. Moreover, international initiatives like the World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” project must be reinforced to ensure that oil-producing countries commit to ending routine flaring. Inaction has severe health consequences, so immediate intervention is required to safeguard the well-being of millions of people globally.

The health hazards of gas flaring are severe and diverse, affecting respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, neurological, and dermatological health. Communities living near flaring sites suffer disproportionately, with higher rates of cancer, birth problems, and chronic illnesses. Scientific evidence is clear: gas flaring is a public health risk that requires prompt and sustained action from governments, businesses, and international agencies. Reducing flaring and transitioning to greener energy sources can significantly improve global public health and environmental sustainability.

Finding redressals

Oil producers have the option of using associated gas productively or re-injecting it. The cost of stopping all routine flaring could exceed $100 billion, and operators frequently face significant challenges in capturing, treating, storing, transporting, and commercialising related gas.

Reaching economies of scale is crucial to the conventional method of using flare gas, which involves gathering related gas and transferring it via pipeline. To be profitable, operators typically need to collect significant amounts of associated gas from multiple flare sites, preferably close together, and then build the infrastructure required to market the gas—for example, to produce electricity and expand energy access.

However, there are several approaches to addressing routine gas flaring. Governments can implement efficient laws and policies to promote and incentivise reductions in gas flaring in the interim.

The potential for associated gas use has also increased significantly in recent years due to advancements in small-scale gas utilisation technologies. Not all of these technologies are cost-effective, and many depend on fuel prices and end-product values.

Although costly to install, integrated compressed natural gas systems, truck-mounted liquefied natural gas plants, and small power generation units are often good alternatives to flaring.

Positively, the amount of associated gas flared has dropped by 11% since 1996, despite an approximate 28% rise in oil production. The growing decoupling of the historical link between oil production and gas flaring indicates progress in the oil industry.

Many oil field operators who flare associated gas are investing in ways to reduce flaring. Numerous companies have also committed to ending routine flaring.
The Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 (ZRF) initiative, launched in 2015 by the World Bank and the UN Secretary-General, commits governments and oil companies to ending routine flaring of gas in existing legacy flaring operations as soon as possible and no later than 2030.

Gas flaring represents a profound and ongoing environmental and public health challenge, squandering valuable natural resources while contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and climate change. The practice imperils vulnerable populations, exacerbating respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive, and dermatological health outcomes, particularly among children, the elderly, and low-income communities.

Although technical, economic, and regulatory obstacles complicate the full utilisation of associated gas, innovative solutions, policy interventions, and small-scale technologies demonstrate that substantial reductions are achievable. Global initiatives like the “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” project highlight the path forward, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action. Mitigating gas flaring is a critical step toward safeguarding human health and ensuring sustainable energy futures worldwide.

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Established in 2007, VPS Healthcare is an integrated healthcare service provider, which has 22 operational hospitals, over 125 healthcare centres, and over 13,000 employees. It has one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Dubai and its medical support services are spread across the Middle East, Europe and India.

VPS Healthcare represents a brand image of excellence in the healthcare delivery system by offering comprehensive patient management at worldwide quality standards across the MENA Region and to the entire strata of the community. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has designated VPS Healthcare as an Industry Partner.

It is also a part of the WEF’s MENA Regional Partnership Community. VPS Healthcare is also the proud holder of the Guinness World Record for Largest Simultaneous Self-Examination for Breast Cancer 2014.

In 2010, VPS Healthcare introduced Response Plus Medical services in Abu Dhabi. Response Plus Medical services cater to the needs of the people in their worksite. It also coordinates specialized medical and ambulance services to assist medical needs during sporting and entertainment events.

Moreover, along with increasing income, the company has placed a strong emphasis on helping out communities and those in need. To spread the word about cancer, VPS Healthcare was the first private healthcare organization to use mobile mammography devices. Additionally, the company launched a worldwide mission to perform 1,000 free heart operations for those who are less fortunate financially.

For the past few years, VPS Healthcare has also been tasked with addressing the healthcare needs of Yemen war victims and Syrian refugees. Similarly, when the Indian state of Kerala was hit by the Nipah virus and catastrophic floods, the healthcare sector was the first to give assistance to the state’s government.

The brain behind this successful venture is 46-year-old Shamsheer Vayalil, an experienced entrepreneur and investor.

Who is Shamsheer Vayalil?
• Shamsheer Vayalil was born and brought up in Kerala, India
• He completed his MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, then obtained his MD in radiology from Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai
• After completing his master’s, Shamsheer Vayalil worked as a radiologist for 12 months at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• In 2007, he opened his first hospital – LLH Hospital in Abu Dhabi under VPS Healthcare Group
• Between 2008 to 2018, VPS Healthcare started 20 hospitals in the Middle East, Europe and India
• In 2019, Shamsheer Vayalil was a member of the advisory committee of the University Of Sharjah College Of Medicine
• In 2020, he became the board of directors of Kannur International Airport Limited
• Shamsheer Vayalil is the recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, India’s highest civilian award presented to Non-Resident Indians
• He is also among the first investors to receive long-term residency in the UAE and Oman
• According to Forbes, as of January 2023, the net worth of Shamsheer Vayalil is around USD 3.1 Billion

Understanding Shamsheer Vayalil’s Vision

In an interview with Arab Health, he talked about what driving forces are needed for both the Middle East and Africa region to grow.

“There is a pressing need for countries to build sustainable healthcare systems, especially given the high prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases. In parallel, governments are also exploring ways to reduce their share of healthcare spending. This new landscape calls for affordable and accessible healthcare, without compromising on quality,” Shamsheer Vayalil said.

“These indicators also signal the need for us to maximise efficiencies in the healthcare sector. Innovation and the creation of new services will be a step in the right direction to drive sustainable business in this environment. As new offerings get introduced in the market, it is imperative that healthcare providers are able to work with regulators to ensure that we have the right frameworks in place, which benefit the industry, and most importantly, patients. We believe VPS Healthcare’s value-based approach to healthcare has the potential to unlock benefits for patients and help shape the future of the industry, despite the underlying challenges we face,” he added.

Shamsheer Vayalil also noted some trends in the UAE healthcare industry.

“The UAE has already begun building a sustainable healthcare roadmap. The services and infrastructure are both constantly evolving in order to exceed international healthcare standards, thus promoting medical tourism. This, in turn, is attracting foreign investment and is drawing in more healthcare practitioners every year. The UAE is also developing into a robust pharmaceutical hub. Now we need to build a strong pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to cater to global demand and align with the country’s aspirations to transition into a knowledge economy. We are very proud that LIFEPharma, our pharmaceutical manufacturing company, which has a facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone, and will be opening another facility in Abu Dhabi, is helping lead this transformation,” he concluded.

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What are Gene editing and CRISPR?

Gene editing is the ability to make highly specific changes in the DNA sequence of a living organism, essentially altering its genetic makeup. Gene editing is done using enzymes, specifically nucleases, which have been engineered to target a specific DNA sequence, where they make cuts in the DNA strands, allowing the removal of existing DNA and the insertion of replacement DNA. Key to the gene editing technologies is a molecular tool called CRISPR, a powerful technology discovered in 2012 by American scientist Jennifer Doudna, French scientist Emmanuelle Charpentier and refined by American scientist Feng Zhang and colleagues.

The CRISPR worked precisely, allowing researchers to remove and insert DNA at desired locations. Significant advances in gene-editing tools have lent renewed urgency to long-standing debates about the ethical and social implications of genetic engineering in humans. Many questions, such as whether genetic engineering should be used to treat human diseases or alter traits such as beauty or intelligence, have been asked in one form or another for decades. However, with the advent of simple and efficient gene editing technologies, notably CRISPR, these questions were no longer theoretical and the answers to them had very real implications for medicine and society.

The idea of using gene editing to treat disease or alter traits dates back at least to the 1950s, when the double-helix structure of DNA was discovered. In the mid-20th century, researchers realized that the base sequence in DNA is mostly passed from parent to offspring faithfully, and that small changes in sequence can mean the difference between health and disease. The realization of the latter led to the inescapable assumption that with the identification of molecular flaws that cause genetic diseases, there would be an opportunity to correct those flaws and thereby enable the prevention or reversal of diseases. This thought was the basic idea behind gene therapy and was considered the holy grail of molecular genetics from the 1980s onwards.

However, developing gene editing technology for gene therapy proved difficult. Many early advances did not focus on correcting genetic errors in DNA, but on attempting to minimize their consequences by providing a functional copy of the mutated gene, either inserted into the genome or as an extrachromosomal unit (outside the genome). While this approach was effective for some disorders, it was complicated and limited in scope. To truly correct genetic errors, researchers had to be able to create a double-stranded break in the DNA at precisely the desired location in the more than three billion strands of DNA that make up the human genome. Once the double-strand break was created, the cell could efficiently repair it using a template that directed the replacement of the defective sequence with the good sequence. However, making the initial break at precisely the desired location—and nowhere else—within the genome was not easy.

Breaking DNA at desired locations

Before the introduction of CRISPR, two approaches were used to generate site-specific double-strand breaks in DNA: one was based on zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and the other was based on transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). ZFNs are fusion proteins composed of DNA-binding domains that recognize and bind to specific three to four-base pair sequences. For example, to confer specificity on a nine-base pair target sequence, three back-to-back fused ZFN domains would be required. The desired arrangement of DNA-binding domains is also fused to a sequence encoding a subunit of the bacterial nuclease Fok1. To enable a double-stranded cut at a given site, two ZFN fusion proteins must be constructed, one binding to opposite strands of DNA on either side of the target site. When both ZFNs are bound, the neighbouring Fok1 subunits bind to each other and form an active dimer that cuts the target DNA on both strands.

TALEN fusion proteins are designed to bind to specific DNA sequences flanking a target site. But instead of zinc finger domains, TALENs use DNA-binding domains derived from proteins from a group of plant pathogens. For technical reasons, TALENs are easier to construct than ZFNs, especially for longer recognition sites. Similar to ZFNs, TALENs encode a Fok1 domain fused to the engineered DNA-binding region. Thus, once the target site is bound on both sides, the dimerized Fok1 nuclease can introduce a double-strand break at the desired DNA position.

Unlike ZFNs and TALENs, CRISPR uses RNA-DNA binding instead of protein-DNA binding to drive nuclease activity, simplifying design and allowing the application to a wide range of target sequences. CRISPR was derived from the adaptive immune system of bacteria. The acronym CRISPR refers to clustered, regularly spaced short palindromic repeats found in most bacterial genomes. Between the short palindromic repeats are sequence sections that clearly originate from the genomes of bacterial pathogens. Older spacers are located at the distal end of the cluster and newer spacers representing newer pathogens are located near the proximal end of the cluster.

Transcription of the CRISPR region results in the production of small guide RNAs containing hairpin formations from the palindromic repeats linked to spacer-derived sequences, allowing each to bind to its respective target. The formed RNA-DNA heteroduplex then binds to a nuclease called Cas9, directing it to catalyze the cleavage of double-stranded DNA at a position near the junction of the target-specific sequence and the palindromic repeat in the guide RNA. Because RNA-DNA heteroduplexes are stable and because designing an RNA sequence that specifically binds to a unique target DNA sequence requires only knowledge of the Watson-Crick base pairing rules (adenine binds to thymine [or uracil in RNA], and cytosine binds to guanine), the CRISPR system was preferable to the fusion protein designs required to use ZFNs or TALENs.

Another technical advance came in 2015 when Zhang and colleagues reported using Cpf-1 instead of Cas9 as a nuclease pairing with CRISPR for gene editing. Cpf-1 is a microbial nuclease that offers potential advantages over Cas9, including the need to only require a CRISPR guide RNA for specificity and to make staggered (rather than blunt) double-stranded DNA cuts. The altered nuclease properties may have allowed better control over the insertion of surrogate DNA sequences than was possible with Cas9, at least under certain circumstances. Researchers suspect that bacteria also harbour other genome-editing proteins.

CRISPR to treat cancer

CRISPR has the potential to improve cancer treatment, by boosting the immune system, It has been utilised in blood cancer patient trials since 2016 to alter the patients’ own immune cells outside of the body to start an immunological attack on the malignancy. Multiple forms of blood cancer have been successfully treated using this strategy, known as CAR-T. Until recently, CAR-Ts had to be manufactured specifically for each patient, which required resources that some patients may not have.

According to Rachel Haurwitz, CEO, president, and co-founder of the company alongside Doudna, Caribou Biosciences is working on an “off-the-shelf” version of the medication that will be available in a freezer for the following patient who requires it. Weeks of preparation time and possible costs would be reduced in this way. CRISPR has the potential to improve cancer treatment. It has been used in blood cancer patient trials since 2016 to alter the patients’ own immune cells outside of the body to start an immunological attack on the malignancy. Multiple forms of blood cancer have been successfully treated using this strategy, known as CAR-T. Until recently, CAR-Ts had to be manufactured specifically for each patient, which required resources that some patients may not have.

A single genetic “misspelling” is responsible for more than 6,000 uncommon inherited disorders. For these, CRISPR gives the option of eliminating the problematic gene, boosting an alternative gene, or changing the genetic “letters” that are creating issues. Later this year, the first CRISPR-based gene treatment for sickle cell disease is anticipated to receive approval, USA Today reported.

Applications and controversies

CRISPR has been used in a variety of ways. For example, it has been applied to early embryos to create genetically modified organisms and injected into the bloodstream of laboratory animals to achieve extensive gene editing in subsets of tissues. CRISPR-based approaches have been used to alter the genomes of crop plants, livestock, and laboratory model organisms, including mice, rats, and non-human primates. By modifying the genomes of bacteriophages (bacteria-killing viruses) with CRISPR technology, scientists have been able to develop methods to destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria. CRISPR systems also enabled the creation of animal models of human diseases and the removal of HIV from infected cells. In a mouse model of human disease, CRISPR-Cas9 was successfully used to correct a genetic error, resulting in the clinical rescue of diseased mice.

In 2015, a group of scientists that included Doudna advocated caution in applying CRISPR-Cas9 technology to humans, at least until the safety and ethical implications of human gene editing could be properly considered. Other researchers advocated going full steam ahead, arguing that the new technology held the key to alleviating many human ailments and that it would be unethical to withhold it. Around the same time, reports from China indicated that gene-editing experiments had been carried out on human embryos. In late 2018, twin girls were born in China with an altered gene that lowers HIV infection risk, making them the world’s first genetically engineered human babies. The implications of this breakthrough were seen as potentially redefining the future of human genetics.

CRISPR gene editing is revolutionizing genetic engineering, with the potential for medical treatment and agriculture. Despite ethical debates, CRISPR has shown promise in laboratory science and clinical trials due to its precise DNA-editing capabilities. Expect significant impact in the future with approved medical treatments and advancements in various fields.

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The new savings account is known as the UOB Lady’s Savings Account. In addition, it offers free medical screenings annually for customers and a yearly three-strain flu vaccination, media reports said. 

The cost for the coverage ranges between $1,000 to $200,000. It is mainly based on the account holder’s monthly average balance on top of the last three months. 

Jacquelyn Tan, head of personal financial services for Singapore at UOB, told the media, “Women in Singapore today juggle multiple responsibilities, including our careers, parenthood, ageing parents, relationships and community involvement, and often, this means our own well-being takes a backseat.”

In 2018, over 40 percent of Prudential Singapore’s total critical illness claims stemmed from women, especially attributed to breast and uterine cancers.

It is reported that nearly 25 percent of women are not adequately investing in medical insurance in the event of a critical illness. For that reason, UOB Lady’s Savings Account is vital for them to protect their financial portfolios. The account also has a subsidised general consultation package for the account holder and up to four dependents, media reports said. 

An average Singaporean only has $60,000 in coverage, while each individual needs an estimated $316,000 in critical illness protection. Currently, the existing gap is $256,000, a huge amount that needs to be covered. 

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