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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 intended to 39, eliminate genetic diseases ", but rather" give as girls, the natural ability to resist a possible infection with HIV. "
Disable the CCR5 gene
To achieve his goal, he claims to have" deactivated "the CCR5 gene, it forms a protein that allows HIV to enter a cell and this In practice, it implies 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 criticism. for them ", says in one of the videos.
A commotion between academics
However, the South University of Science and Technology of Shenzhen City launched a challenge to its teacher in a statement, pointing out that even I was aware of this project.
The institution said that she felt "deeply shocked by the case" and the urged, on leave since February this year, to come as soon as possible to give explanations.
"The convo University will bring international experts to investigate this incident, which constitutes a serious violation of the law. ethical and academic standards, "said the institution on the project, which also raised doubts about its veracity, since it has not been published so far in any document. scientific journal [19659003] For its part, the Chinese press today acknowledged that the study had sparked a Ontroverses between academics and the public across the country.
Ethical Issues
China Daily reports concern about "ethical issues and their effectiveness" and reveals that parents of both babies are people living with HIV, citing Bai Huai, director of Baihualin non-governmental organization that cares for people with this disease,
120 academics from the Chinese scientific community said in a statement published on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, that "any attempt" to change Human mutations due to genetic changes are "crazy" and giving birth to these babies carries "high risk."
"The government must take quick legislative action to strictly supervise this research," Chinese scientists added. 19659003] The controversy also comes one day before the beginning of an important meeting on genome modification, to be held from 27 to 29 November in Hong Kong, to researchers in this field.
"It's premature, dangerous and irresponsible"
At the global level, Nature magazine also joined the debate today and claims, in an article, that this announcement has caused "l & # 39; Indignation "of the international scientific community and that, if true," would represent a significant leap in the use of human genome modification. "
" It is premature, dangerous and irresponsible said Joyce Harper, a researcher at University College London.
"This experience exposes normal and healthy children to risks without real benefit," says the magazine.
Nature points out that this type of tool has not been used so far to study its benefit in eliminating mutations causing disease. and adds that the scientific community "has long called for the creation of ethical guidelines long before such cases arise.
In 2016, a group of Chinese scientists became a pioneer in the use of humans. In particular in patients with lung cancer, CRISPR genetic modification technology has been reported by Nature.
However, scientists in the UK have discovered that CRISPR gene modification technology can cause more damage to cells. according to a study published this year by the same magazine
.
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