from the crack-a-few-eggs-to-make-an-omelette dept.
Second Paper to Show Human Embryo Editing
Second Chinese team reports gene editing in human embryos
Researchers in China have reported editing the genes of human embryos to try to make them resistant to HIV infection. Their paper — which used CRISPR-editing tools in non-viable embryos that were destroyed after three days — is only the second published claim of gene editing in human embryos.
The mutation that was introduced is the naturally occurring variant in the CCR5 gene seen in some people resistant to AIDS progression.
Introducing precise genetic modifications into human 3PN embryos by CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing (DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0710-8)
Chinese Team Uses CRISPR to Genetically Modify Human Embryo
Chinese team uses CRISPR to genetically modify human embryo
In this latest effort, the Chinese team reports that they obtained 213 fertilized eggs from a fertility clinic, which had been deemed unsuitable for in vitro therapy. The women who had donated the eggs all gave permission for the embryos to be used for genetic research, on condition that the embryos would not be allowed to mature into a human being. The team used the CRISPR technique to edit genes, adding a mutation that causes damage to an immune cell gene called CCR5—such cells that are damaged naturally have been found to lead to HIV resistance. Thus the point of the research was to learn more about the possibility of producing human babies that would be immune to HIV. The team reports that just 4 out of 26 of the embryos that were edited were modified successfully—some still contained genes that had not been modified, and others had resulted in unexpected gene mutations. All of the embryos were destroyed after three days. Due to the results, it is not clear what has been learned from the experiments, except that some groups, particularly in China, are willing to conduct such research despite international condemnation.
Related Stories
U.S. scientists have genetically modified human embyros using CRISPR and have apparently avoided the worst of the off-target effects that have plagued previous efforts. The results are unpublished and the team is not commenting yet:
The first known attempt at creating genetically modified human embryos in the United States has been carried out by a team of researchers in Portland, Oregon, Technology Review has learned.
The effort, led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health and Science University, involved changing the DNA of a large number of one-cell embryos with the gene-editing technique CRISPR, according to people familiar with the scientific results.
Until now, American scientists have watched with a combination of awe, envy, and some alarm as scientists elsewhere were first to explore the controversial practice. To date, three previous reports of editing human embryos were all published by scientists in China.
Now Mitalipov is believed to have broken new ground both in the number of embryos experimented upon and by demonstrating that it is possible to safely and efficiently correct defective genes that cause inherited diseases.
Although none of the embryos were allowed to develop for more than a few days—and there was never any intention of implanting them into a womb—the experiments are a milestone on what may prove to be an inevitable journey toward the birth of the first genetically modified humans.
Also at STAT News.
Previously: Chinese Scientists Have Genetically Modified Human Embryos
NIH Won't Fund Human Germline Modification
Group of Scientists and Bioethicists Back Genetic Modification of Human Embryos
The International Summit on Human Gene Editing
UK Scientist Makes the Case for Editing Human Embryos
Second Chinese Team Reports Gene Editing in Human Embryos
Scientists Keep Human Embryos Alive Longer Outside of the Womb
Francis Collins Retains Position as Director of the National Institutes of Health
(Score: 4, Interesting) by c0lo on Tuesday April 12 2016, @03:30PM
I'm sometime amazed how visionary the producers/creators of Alpha Centauri were.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 4, Insightful) by CHK6 on Tuesday April 12 2016, @03:57PM
Most psychopaths tend to dehumanize their victims as not real or so far removed that their existence is irrelevant. If Sheng-ji sees human life as a chemical bucket no different than watching baking soda and vinegar react, then disposing and terminating those chemical reactions means nothing. So I would guess Sheng-ji sees no issue with genocide as nothing more than cleansing laboratory equipment.
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:06PM
That doesn't make the authors less visionary - at least in attributing this view to a Chinese.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 3, Insightful) by ikanreed on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:30PM
I'd say you're right, I'd say disposing of human genetic material happens every day after a quick pornhub session or tampon tossing.
The things that make us valuable and worth respecting aren't endemic to the simple chemical reactions that sustain us and define our genetic character, but instead are a result of the humanity we develop over the course of our lives, through both regular boring biological growth and our interactions with the world around us.
I'd go as far as to say that it is only our brains that imbue any of the rest of our body with any intrinsic value whatsoever. Without that extraordinarily complex component, we are no better than a carrot or e. coli.
--why I'm pro-choice as fuck.
(Score: 3, Informative) by SunTzuWarmaster on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:33PM
So... you know that Alpha Centauri was a game, and Chairman Sheng-ji Yang (of the Hive) is a fictional character, right?
He also has this quote, which keeps me up at night. It is said after developing an early-level technology of "Recycling Tanks".
"It is every citizen's final duty to go into the tanks and become one with all the people."
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Ethics for Tomorrow"
That said, the GP's point about Alpha Centauri being visionary is 100% correct.
Other great (and occasionally terribly dark) quotes include:
"Energy is the currency of the future."
CEO Nwabudike Morgan, "The Centauri Monopoly"
We are no longer particularly in the business of writing software to perform specific tasks. We now teach the software how to learn, and in the primary bonding process it molds itself around the task to be performed. The feedback loop never really ends, so a tenth year polysentience can be a priceless jewel or a psychotic wreck, but it is the primary bonding process--the childhood, if you will--that has the most far-reaching repercussions.
Bad'l Ron, Wakener, Morgan Polysoft
The popular stereotype of the researcher is that of a skeptic and a pessimist. Nothing could be further from the truth! Scientists must be optimists at heart, in order to block out the incessant chorus of those who say "It cannot be done."
Academician Prokhor Zakharov, University Commencement
Remember, genes are NOT blueprints. This means you can't, for example, insert "the genes for an elephant's trunk" into a giraffe and get a giraffe with a trunk. There are no genes for trunks. What you CAN do with genes is chemistry, since DNA codes for chemicals. For instance, we can in theory splice the native plants' talent for nitrogen fixation into a terran plant.
Academician Prokhor Zakharov, "Nonlinear Genetics"
My gift to industry is the genetically engineered worker, or Genejack. Specially designed for labor, the Genejack's muscles and nerves are ideal for his task, and the cerebral cortex has been atrophied so that he can desire nothing except to perform his duties. Tyranny, you say? How can you tyrannize someone who cannot feel pain?
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Essays on Mind and Matter"
(Score: 3, Funny) by CHK6 on Tuesday April 12 2016, @06:56PM
{Face palm to self}
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday April 13 2016, @02:10AM
This is the most enticing idea for me, I tend to see energy* as the most "natural currency":
To bad we haven't yet discovered the Shipstone [blogspot.com]
(apologies, the link is picked at almost random and provided for "just in case" - I saw someone not being familiar with the game, I cannot suppose there aren't others not familiar with Friday. If you know what's about, no need to visit the page) .
---
* it is not the actual energy that needs to be stored, it is the "energy gradient" that needs to be maintained.
The second thing required by an energy currency: controllable transfer. I mean, a nuclear bomb doesn't see to have too much benefits in everyday life.
** with a low enough decay rate, one of the functions of money (saving for retirement or, lately, investing for retirement) would be solved. What you accumulated on years of activity should last enough for your last 20-30 years of "unproductive" life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:06PM
If someone finds their genetic code sacred, tampering with it taboo, that's their business. They shouldn't have the right to stop anyone else from conducting ethical research. It would be unethical if you could prove that the eventual humans created with these modifications suffered some terrible side-effects, or had increased risks of disease, for example. "It's unethical because I find it morally obscene" is circular, and arbitrarily specific to your moral code. So you can't impose it on others.
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:38PM
Indeed. You are right.
There are real ethical questions, though.
If one was to blindly modify the DNA of a blastocyst, then implant it and allow it to develop into a baby, that could be argued to have ethical parallels to performing unnecessary surgery on a newborn for the sake of science. Specifically, without overwhelming moral imperative for the sake of that individual, you're potentially sacrificing their livelihood and happiness to learn. Medical ethics have long established that this is unacceptable.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:51PM
Using the gene modification from TFA is illustrative. It's a mutation that occurs naturally in the population. It has a specific advantage we know about: HIV resistance. So why not make all new babies HIV resistant? We make all new babies resistant against measles. Well we actually wait a few years before giving some vaccines, but we'd do it earlier if we could. And vaccines are not without risks, but no one seriously argues that they're unethical. The people who do are rightly regarded as cranks, and irresponsible parents putting their own children and the children of others at risk.
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:55PM
The only question, and I ask out of genuine ignorance, is how do you assay the risk to clinical trial participants? If you can answer that, you can treat it like any other experimental preventative medicine.
(Score: 2) by sjames on Tuesday April 12 2016, @10:04PM
For one, vaccines don't alter the germ line. Let's say you want to perform such a procedure. Are you prepared to cover all costs including supporting them and their children if it turns out that something really bad happens at age 40 as a result?
Keep in mind, it's not just the targeted modification. The study in TFA found that the procedure frequently induced additional unwanted mutations. It's a good thing they had the sense not to try actually letting any of the tests become a living human.
While vaccination is not entirely without risk, that risk is well characterized and is less than the risk of measles itself.
(Score: 2) by legont on Wednesday April 13 2016, @02:26AM
That is probably true now but what about the beginning of vaccinations? How did we know that the vaccinated children would survive past 40 years?
BTW, the first vaccination was likely also done in China 1000 CE [historyofvaccines.org].
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
(Score: 2) by sjames on Wednesday April 13 2016, @03:48AM
Neverminding the different standards of ethics in 11th century China, given the form of the inoculation (essentially a weakened smallpox), the innoculant actually was well understood and was clearly not worse than smallpox. They were well aware of the consequences of a mild case of smallpox throughout the life of the patient.
As for the second smallpox vaccine, cowpox was also well known at the time. It was much safer than the first vaccine since there was little risk of a hot dose causing serious illness.
(Score: 1) by kanweg on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:57PM
Would it be ethical to not check for dangerous DNA flaws, not fix them, and let a human being being born with severe defects as a result of this careless behaviour?
Bert
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Tuesday April 12 2016, @05:00PM
In fact, we do that to some extent today. I'd personally consider an abortion for certain easily diagnosed conditions.
(Score: 2) by legont on Wednesday April 13 2016, @02:36AM
I once went to see some paintings, pictures and installations by a very sick artist. They were mostly masochistic in nature. He used his work to overcome his almost permanent pain due to some genetic condition and was scheduled to die young. Now get this. He was 5th, I think, child in the family and all his seniors had the same and already died. What shall we say about parents; morally wise.
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 12 2016, @05:35PM
Keep doing that and there will be fewer humans born with severe defects.
If you do not view human embryos as sacred enough not to mess about with, then you should also see the logic and greater benefit of eliminating defective ones early. There's no real need for them. We have more than enough around.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by kanweg on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:59PM
I have a question for you: Would it be ethical to not check for dangerous DNA flaws, not fix them, and let a human being being born with severe defects as a result of this careless behaviour?
Bert
(Score: 2) by GungnirSniper on Tuesday April 12 2016, @05:26PM
Those two concepts are totally different because one causes unnecessary suffering for no benefit. A genetically enhanced person will have an easier life, and thus the risks are well worth the potential tradeoffs you foresee.
We already make value judgements based on fetal genetics. This is why the number of retarded children is declining in most areas.
Tips for better submissions to help our site grow. [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Gravis on Tuesday April 12 2016, @06:25PM
Alpha Centauri is a star, so wtf are you talking about?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 12 2016, @08:51PM
Here you go! [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Tuesday April 12 2016, @10:14PM
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri [wikipedia.org]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 13 2016, @12:24AM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Centauri_%28game%29 [wikipedia.org]
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 12 2016, @03:52PM
meaning: despite condemnation by USA religious nutcases
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 12 2016, @04:34PM
3PN embryos are not "human", they never form humans and have the wrong number of chromosomes to do so.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 13 2016, @06:11AM
Oh? There are some XXY and other folk who would maybe disagree with you on your definition of human.
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Tuesday April 12 2016, @08:02PM
First you mess around with non viable embryos. Then you start making changes to viable ones to cure genetic issues like hemophilia, cancer, baldness and the others that no one will argue against so you can set a precedent that manipulating genes in humans is OK.
Eventually you move on to create a class of humans that mature quickly, has little to no ability to feel pain and have just enough cognitive functions follow orders, ie. Perfect solders.
I realize this is an extreme case, and I'm not saying we need to stop the research, but we need to think about where it can, and will, end up given Humanities propensity for war.
One thing I always end up wondering when I hear about editing genes in Humans is when we start making changes for the sake of change at what point do the edited people stop being "Homo Sapiens" and become a new species?
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 2) by bitstream on Wednesday April 13 2016, @11:10PM
Researchers edits genes to prevent disease. But once the techniques are available it will be used for nefarious purposes. It's not that the original actors are evil. It's that they will enable others that are via a longer chain.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 12 2016, @11:35PM
Did they edit with vi, or Emacs?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 13 2016, @08:45AM
Sure they were. You go on believing this.
(Score: 2) by bitstream on Wednesday April 13 2016, @11:14PM
This is great for anyone not borne yet. But what about people that are borne?