The Straight Dope: Is CRISPR the big deal everyone says it is?

[View this message as a web page] [The Straight Dope] 12/30/2016 Dear Cecil: I keep hearing about the bright future of gene editing, specifically involving something called CRISPR. I've seen claims that it could cure cancer and most genetic diseases, maybe even prolong life to infinity and beyond. Is this kooky futurist crap, or maybe something that'll be too expensive for mass distribution? — Julia Cecil replies: The experts predicting cancer cures are the relatively sober, realistic ones, Julia — we’ve got CRISPR teams living the sci-fi dream, sticking preserved mammoth genes into elephant cells. The CRISPR-Cas9 editing process still looks like the revolutionary development it’s been touted as over the last four years, and research hums along at a remarkable pace. Still, some of the more dramatic projections surely won’t pan out, and those that do will have to overcome all kinds of stumbling blocks — biological, ethical, legal, ecological, and, yes, financial. For more, see: [ STRAIGHT DOPE STAFF REPORT — 02/04/2004 Dear Straight Dope: in anticipation of the 200th anniversary of the lewis and clark expedition, i read their journals, edited by frank bergon, and was surprised to find less than a half dozen references to sacagawea. other than a couple brief journal entries regarding her usefulness, she seemed to be quite a bit player for most of the expedition. my question is, why all the fuss? is her commemorative coin the product of some well-connected female lobbyists? please, tell me i'm missing something. — pete strazzabosco SDStaff bibliophage replies: Okay, you're missing something. It's called a shift key. Also about a hundred journal references to Sacagawea. But you're not missing much when it comes to the big picture. For more, see: [ STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC — 01/30/2004 Dear Cecil: What's the true story on South American Nazis? After World War II why would countries like Argentina and Paraguay want them? — David Storms Cecil replies: Come now. After the war Argentina and Paraguay were run for years by nationalist strongmen, Juan Peron and Alfredo Stroessner respectively, who liked to strut around in military regalia and brutalize dissidents. Argentina had remained officially neutral until early 1945, when economic pressure forced it to throw in with the Allies, but until that point was in intimate contact with Hitler's regime and the fascist Franco government in Spain. Postwar Brazil was still fascist-friendly, a legacy of deposed dictator Getulio Vargas. Surely it's no surprise that the leaders of these countries nurtured fraternal feelings for fleeing Nazis. For more, see: [ YOUR AD HERE! Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks. For rates and details contact Rich at [rhummel@suntimes.com]. Copyright © 2016 Sun-Times Media, LLC. This email was sent by The Straight Dope, Sun-Times Media, LLC., 350 N. Orleans, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654 [Unsubscribe/update preferences] This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To change or update your newsletter subscription preferences, or to unsubscribe from all Chicago Reader and Straight Dope newsletters and promotional communications, [click here]. Please allow 72 hours for this change to take effect.