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Beijing / Vienna. (Gral) Intervening in the human germ line has been easy since the invention of the CRISPR / Cas9 gene scissors. Nevertheless, it is taboo. Scientists around the world have long agreed on this point. However, Chinese researchers have now violated this unwritten law based on ethical principles. The result is Lulu and Nana, two twins whose genetic material was still genetically modified in fertilized oocytes, according to senior researcher He Jiankui of the University of Shenzhen in a YouTube release. Immediately after being known, international criticism began.
"I feel a strong responsibility, it was not to be the first, it was to give the example (…) If this is not the case , someone else would have done (…) of course as expected, "said Jiankui to his own experience claims successful experience. In the genome of the two girls, born a few weeks ago, he "deleted the portal of molecular entry" through which AIDS viruses can enter the cells. He targeted the so-called CCR5 receiver. If the gene of this signaling device on the cell is removed, it is resistant to HIV.
HIV immunity
Babies are the result of a study with multiple participants. This is a total of 20 couples wanting to have children and whose man is HIV positive. The study is conducted "for the safety and value of the CCR5 gene editing for HIV immunity in human embryos", is the entry into the Chinese register of tests clinics. Until here, there is no scientific publication on the success of the experiment, just an entry in the said register.
With Genschere genetic material can be a very targeted change. Genes can be modified, activated or deactivated and supplemented or replaced by foreign components. Since 2013, we know that this technology works well in humans. However, there are still unresolved issues, such as reliable repair of cut gene sequences.
Internationally, attempts of this type are strictly rejected. Because a genetic change takes place in the germline of the human being, if the affected people pbad on this modified genetic material – that is, modified or corrected – to their children, Markus Hengstschläger, director of the Institute of Medical Genetics of the Vienna Medical University, summarizes the consequences that is ethically extremely questionable, is the general tenor.
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