Crispr-Cas9 Genetic Scissors Cause Unexpected Mutations, Study Finds



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 One of the scientists behind the discovery of Crispr-Cas9 scissors, Jennifer Doudna, interviewed by Robert Capps, Wired journalist, New York, June 7, 2017 / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP / Archives [19659002] One of the scientists behind the discovery of Crispr-Cas9 scissors, Jennifer Doudna, interviewed by Robert Capps, Wired journalist, New York, June 7, 2017 / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP / Archives [19659003TheexperimentalCrispr-Cas9techniqueusedtomodifyfaultygenesandonwhichmedicinehashighhopesislessprecisethanwasthoughtandcausesunexpectedmutationsaccordingtoastudypublishedMonday</p>
<p> These scissors have caused "significant" and "frequent" mutations in mouse and human cell experiments as part of the study, published in Nature Biotechnology. </p>
<p> This work has shown that s involuntary caused in DNA by this technique "have been largely underestimated until now," said in a statement Allan Bradley, of the Wellcome Sanger Institute in England, where the study was conducted. </p>
<p> " Considering how to use this technique in gene therapy should be accompanied by a lot of precautions, monitoring the possible negative effects, "he continued. </p>
<p> Crispr-Cas9 is a major discovery unveiled in 2012, attributed to a Franco-American female duo, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna, and frequently cited for the awarding of the Nobel Prize. </p>
<p> It is based on an enzyme that acts as molecular scissors. The latter can remove unwanted parts of the genome very precisely to replace them with new pieces of DNA, much like when you correct a typo in a word processor. </p>
<p> This technique does not at the research stage and not used on humans </p>
<p> In previous work, researchers have succeeded in correcting a genetic defect in human embryos. This potentially opens the way to great progress in the treatment of genetic diseases, but also raises serious ethical questions. </p>
<p> Because theoretically, this technique could be used to produce genetically modified babies to choose for example the color of their hair or to increase their physical strength. </p>
<p> The work unveiled on Monday revealed changes in the DNA of certain cells that could activate or deactivate important genes, with potentially heavy consequences. </p>
<p> "This study highlights that in terms of genome editing, it is essential to check that the changes that occur are those and only those that we wanted to provoke.This has always been obvious, "commented a researcher who did not participate Robin Lovell-Badge, of the Francis Crick Institute, London. </p>
<p> However, "these results do not justify panic or that one loses faith in these techniques, "he continued. </p>
<p> All researchers insists that it is necessary to continue research on Crispr-Cas9 before any clinical application. [19659016] afp </p>
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