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Chinese scientist who allegedly created the first genetically engineered babies is being detained
The Chinese scientist who shocked the world with claims of creating the first genetically engineered babies is being detained in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to a report in The New York Times.
[...] The Southern University of Science and Technology, based in Shenzhen, has denied the reporting around Dr. He's whereabouts and fate, telling the Times, "Right now nobody's information is accurate, only the official channels are." Meanwhile, the official channels are staying silent.
Reporters found security personnel blocking access to the residence where Dr. He is reportedly staying and others denying access to the former offices Dr. He used to conduct his research. The scientist's name and biography remains on a board listing staff in the university’s biology department.
Previously: Chinese Scientist Claims to Have Created the First Genome-Edited Babies (Twins)
Furor Over Genome-Edited Babies Claim Continues (Updated)
Chinese Gene-Editing Scientist's Project Rejected for WHO Database (Plus: He Jiankui is Missing)
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 01 2019, @12:14AM
I don't really know what you are trying to do with this analogy, but if you are trying to argue that CRISPR-mediated germline editing is like the initial vaccination "trials" performed two hundred years ago or variolation "trials" five hundred years ago then it's not going to provide any useful insight.
First of all, did you actually read the paper? The paper in no way disprove the utility of preclinical trials. Preclinical animal trials happen to be dirt cheap, so I have no idea why you think they substantially affect the expense of the drug development process.
I don't even know where to start with the rest of your post. It is clear that you lack the familiarity with the academic literature on the topics of HIV, HIV treatment and public health, and gene editing.
Briefly:
The off-target mutation problem is well established in the academic literature (hell, it has been covered here many times) and there are lots of patents on processes that lower the rate.
You can lower the off-target rate by various means (e.g. careful design and screening of gRNA sequences and alterations to Cas9).
It's unlikely that the doctor has quietly solved the problems single-handedly.
If I had to personally do it, I'd order primers and do a RT-PCR to detect HIV RNA and an ELISA for HIV antibodies.
CRISPR-mediated germline editing plus IVF is not even close to mass immunization. This is not even remotely close to a low-cost solution to HIV in China or Africa.
This is definitely not the same as electric cars.
My reasons for skepticism, instead of your incredibly optimistic assumptions, are based on the published evidence and knowledge of the fields involved.