CRSIPR: A Key to A Better Future

One image can change one’s real-world perception, especially in science. From photographs of movement to microscopic images of atomic molecules, images are often used to spark public interest in science and engineering. For instance, the first X-ray taken by Wilhelm Conrad R?ntgen in 1895 would eventually transform medical science, allowing doctors to examine their patients’ bodies without dissection. This scientific image not just change the course of science, but also how people view themselves in the world. With the recent discovery of nature’s secret, CRISPR, such promising innovative technology does raise concern of its unpleasant side effects as it can be manipulated at will to satisfy one’s lifestyle interest to surpass the norm rather than health needs.

No clear line separates healing from upgrading. Thus, people need to be persuaded to think critically about these difference. Understanding human is a visual creature, images and visual interpretation are vital for science communication to influence public towards the adoption of this transformative technology.

The illustrators used visual techniques such as descriptive interpretation and Aristotelian appeals to attract readers’ attention which subsequently persuaded by the particular illustrator’s perspective on the pros and cons of genome editing tool, CRISPR.

The first photo of gene editing released in the article on January 18th 2019 by Genetic Literacy Project chose researchers and, more specifically, a scientist’s hand in order to convey the points. There is a hand of a person wearing gloves and a white lab coat. The left hand is situated on the lower left side corner of the picture while the DNA is placed vertically and slightly slanted to the right.

The observer can tell that the left hand is carefully holding light grey forceps to pick a piece of DNA strand. There is a brain and an eye hexagon icon pointed to the piece of the DNA strand. The DNA piece looks like the shape of sausage with two small lines located horizontally on the lower end of the strand. For the main DNA strand is a double helix, which is composed of two linear strands that run opposite to each other and twist together with two different colours, which are orange and peach. Each section of the DNA have three white fine lines. In the third section of the DNA, a small portion of the DNA was removed. Dark blue is used as the background colour. In contrast, white colour is being used for the scientist’s lab coat, gloves and the fine gene strands. This clearly distinguishes and directs viewers’ attention on the scientist’s left hand and the gene strand. These details show how this image focuses on the scientist’s hand studying the different gene variants.

The second image used in Science’s article on March 27th 2018 depicted a photo of a scientist standing in front of the vertical DNA. A light blue colour is used in the background. A solid dark blue DNA strand was placed vertically slightly to the right side of the picture. The centre of attention in the illustration is a faceless man who wears a white lab coat and black trouser is standing in the middle of the picture facing the vertical DNA. He is holding a golden coloured pointy oval shape genetic code which consists of four lines. There are three different colour of pointy oval shape genetic codes being scattered around the floor. The green colour is located beside his left leg while the other two colour, yellow and grey, is situated near his right leg. The yellow colour genetic code was placed on top of the grey coloured one. Different colour representation is also used in different parts of genetic code, too. In the first section, it is yellow in colour, while the second section is red, the third section is empty and the last section is light green. In this photo, the light source is not seen. However, the light source is to the upper right side corner of the artwork as the shadow of the DNA and the scientist is reflected on the floor. Unlike the first image, this image focuses more on the scientist experimenting in a standing position.

Both images use Aristotelian appeals strategy to attract readers’ attention to further analyze the images rhetorically. The first image is related to the “logos” element while the second photo has the “pathos” quality. The conceptual understanding of gene editing is clearly portrayed in first image. It shows the essential scientific procedures involved in the genome editing modification which is extracted part of the DNA strands that contained vital information related to specific genetic diseases. The forceps represent the Cas-9, the technical name for the virus-destroying “scissors” that evolved in bacteria which is being used to cut part of DNA that is related to genetic disease. It is important for researchers to study different genetic variations as the information and instructions they contain is crucial to understand how organisms, populations and species evolve. Researchers’ can examine one’s family health history and detect certain pattern of hereditary disease just by examining their genetics. Such comprehension is necessary to make good choices to stay healthy and it is easier to make better decisions with sufficient knowledge. Although that human genome is still too complicated to fathom, nobody can predict how advanced gene editing will be in ten years, and it might arrive faster than expected. This use of logos would be persuasive for the target audience because the audience is interested in realizing the potential of gene editing. The term of “pathos” is associated with the second photo. This image raises concern about the ethical aspect of gene editing. It shows readers that the faceless scientist was experimenting with DNA strands and different genetic sequence are scattered all around the floor. In this twenty-first century, humankind will be tempted to obtain the ability to re-engineer their own bodies and minds, more importantly, to escape death and old age. Such desires for an upgrade can be achieved through gene editing. The audience would also be attracted by this use of pathos as they will be aware of the possible dark side of gene modification. “Now we know, in large measure, our fate is in our genes.” famous words that were stated by the co-founder of DNA’s double helix structure, James Watson. Realizing that our fate controlled by our genes, Stephen Hawking feared that once a country took such a step, due to the fear being overtaken, other countries will follow suit and this might lead to rising of the superhuman race. Hence this image makes readers ponder whether the world will end up with a creepy dystopia with superhuman race if such genetic modifications procedure is continued for a few generations.

Visual Elements is also another strategy used by both images. As Stephen Hawking once said that “Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.” The observer can tell that the hand in the first image evokes the feelings of hope, wisdom and the future. This is evident from the act of the scientist tinkering the genetic sequence as it clearly portrayed humanity sets out in quest of finding a cure to combat genetic diseases that tormented mankind for millennia. The genetic sequence, DNA, symbolizes the fragility of life itself. It harbours the information which is vital for researchers to study the variation of a gene. The brain and eye hexagon icon revealed that genetic information can serve as a guide to apply precision medicine to treat patients. Such treatments can be catered to anyone, regardless of their genotype and this way of approach can significantly increase the effectiveness of improving human’s health. The feeling of attentive and carefulness depicted in the picture of the scientist wearing a glove while clipping part of the DNA strands reminds the readers the importance of not being hasty when using this transformative and versatile tool as there are still lots of progress need to be made as humanity just only beginning to glimpse the full potential of this genome-editing tools. The blue colour is used in the background of both images. Blue colour often signifies trust, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth and wisdom while dark blue represents depth, expertise, stability and seriousness. The author no doubt wanted his viewers to view this photo as a reference to having faith and trust towards the expertise of the scientist in pursuit of potential cure for genetic diseases. But the mixed feelings of high hopes and fears around gene editing also illustrated in the second photo, too. The act of the faceless scientist holding on part of the genetic sequence raises concerns that researcher unethical attempt to alter germline might have occurred in secret with its potential for unintended consequences. It reminds the viewers of the Chinese scientist He Jiankui engineered the birth of twin girls Lulu and Nana by utilizing the gene-editing tool CRISPR- Cas9 had shocked the world. His experiment has been widely condemned although he justified that in altering their gene, he had given them lifetime immunity from HIV infection. But research suggests that such actions may shorten the baby twin girls’ life expectancy. The need for reaching a broad societal consensus to assess the risks and benefits of gene editing is required to form a transparent global regulatory system for genetic modification. Both images depicted vividly the main message that CRISPR technological and ethical challenges still stand between humanity and a future that we envision.

The images clearly conveyed their respective their underlying messages to the target audience. As what I’ve learned, persuasive techniques such as Aristotelian appeals and visual elements can further improve my logical arguments and articulate my ideas and opinions constructively by presenting reliable evidence to establish credibility to my own writing. Application of such techniques allowed readers to think critically about the pros and cons of gene editing tools such as CRIPSR and its’ impact towards the overall society. With a more precise and productive conversation, guided by effective communication and problem-solving abilities, everyone will start to make clear and rational decisions on what to do or what to believe. Such deep thinking to the very core on what’s worth or matter can be aligned to moral values and ethical principle that prioritize human wellbeing.