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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.
(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.