CRISPR stands for “Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats” and is a technology that enables scientists to edit the DNA of any genome. In 2005, a researcher developed Cas9 – a DNA-cutting enzyme that allowed editing in the cell’s own genome.
With CRISPR, scientists can engineer plants that can survive in harsh conditions, fruits that are bigger in volume and flesh, and even animals that have the desired characteristics.
There are certain ethical dilemmas associated with CRISPR and its use on humans, and that extends to its use in animals, too. Nonetheless, it is still a very important technology that can provide multiple benefits to the society at large.