[ad_1]
Controversy and doubt, such is the reaction to the announcement that a Chinese scientist has created the first genetically modified babies in the world to resist certain diseases through the CRISPR gene modification technique.
Controversy began when specialized publications such as the American magazine MIT Technology Review echoed the study of scientist He Jiankui, who had started broadcasting videos on YouTube in which he claimed to have altered genes of twins.
According to Chinese researcher Lulu, girls, and Nana, "born healthy a few weeks ago", "thanks to in vitro fertilization with genetic modification technology" that will prevent them from becoming infected by HIV. "
In these videos, I claimed to have used the CRISPR / Cas9 technique and justifies the experiment by stating that genetic modification" is not aimed at eliminate genetic diseases ", but rather" give the girls the natural ability to resist a possible infection with HIV. "
To achieve his goal, he claims to have" deactivated "the CCR5 gene, which forms a protein that allows HIV to enter a cell.The practice involves an improvement in DNA.
" I understand that my work is controversial, but I believe that families need this technology and I am willing to accept the criticisms that they have, "says in one of the videos.
He declares Jiankui:
— Doubts and Inconvenience —
However, the South University of Science and Technology of the City of Shenzhen refutes his teacher in a statement and underlined that he was not even aware of this project.
The institution stated that he felt "deeply shocked by the case" and urged him, on leave since February of this year, to go as soon as possible to give explanations. [19659004] "L & # 39; University will convene international experts to investigate this incident, which constitutes a serious violation of ethics and academic standards, "said the institution on the project, which also raised doubts as to its truthfulness, until now unknown.
For its part, the Chinese press acknowledged that the study had sparked controversy between academics and the public across the country.
The Daily China Daily reports concerns "about ethics and its effectiveness" and reveals that the parents of both babies are people living with HIV, citing Bai Hua , director of Baihualin. , an NGO that cares for people with this disease.
At the same time, more than 120 scholars of the Chinese scientific community noted in a statement released the Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, according to which "any attempt" to modify human embryos through genetic modification is "crazy" and that giving birth to these babies carries "high risk".
"The government must take quick legislative measures to strictly supervise such research," Chinese scientists added.
Controversy also comes one day before researchers in this field begin an important meeting on genome modification that will take place from November 26 to 29 in Hong Kong.
Overall, the journal Nature also participated in the debate and, in an article, states that this announcement caused a "scandal" between the international scientific community and what, if it is true, "would represent a significant jump in the use of the modification of the human genome".
"It's premature, dangerous and irresponsible," Joyce Harpe told the publication. r, researcher at University College London.
"This experience exposes normal and healthy children to risks without any real benefit being needed" the review highlights.
Nature emphasizes that these types of instruments have not been used to date to study their benefits for the elimination of disease-causing mutations, and adds that the scientific community "has long called for" the creation of new lines. ethical guidelines, long before a case like this occurs
(To read the statement of Nature, CLICK HERE)
In 2016, a group of Chinese scientists became a pioneer in the # 39, use in humans, especially in patients with lung cancer, CRISPR gene modification technology. , as indicated by the journal Nature.
However, British scientists have discovered that CRISPR gene modification technology can cause more damage to human cells. e what we thought so far, according to a study published this year by the same magazine.
Source: EFE
Follow us on Twitter:
Source link
