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The Crispr-Cas9 experimental technique , used to modify defective genes and on which medicine has great hopes, is less precise than thought and causes unexpected mutations, according to a study published Monday.
These genetic scissors have caused mutations "important "and" frequent "in experiments conducted on mice and human cells as part of the study, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
These studies have shown that involuntary changes caused in DNA by this have been largely underestimated until now, "said Allan Bradley, of the Wellcome Sanger Institute in England, where the study was conducted.
" Consider using this technique in gene therapy must be accompanied by a lot of precautions, monitoring the possible negative effects, "he continued.
Crispr-Cas9 is a major discovery unveiled in 2012, attributed to a feminine duo Franco American, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna, and frequently cited for the awarding of the Nobel Prize.
It is based on an enzyme that acts as molecular scissors. They can remove unwanted parts of the genome in a very precise way and replace them with new pieces of DNA, much like when you correct a typo in a word processor.
This technique does not at the research stage and not used in humans
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.
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.
The work unveiled on Monday highlighted changes in the DNA of certain cells that could activate or deactivate important genes, with potentially heavy consequences.
"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, from the Francis Crick Institute, London.
However, "these results do not justify panic or that one loses faith in these techniques, "he continued.
All researchers insists that it is necessary to continue research on Crispr-Cas9 before any clinical application. [19659015]
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