A brutal experience or a scientific breakthrough? Experts condemn the process of changing the DNA of embryos



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A group of experts criticized a team of Chinese scientists who claimed that he had managed to modify the DNA of twins in order to immunize him against HIV / AIDS.

Experts from the South China University of Science and Technology (CST) shocked the world Sunday night, November 25, claiming to have achieved a birth after genetic modification of the embryo.

The DNA of the twin children is modified by the powerful CRISPR gene editing tool, said Dr. Jah Giancoi, chief scientist of the project.

The world claimed that the two children, Lulu and Nana, were born weeks ago and were resistant to HIV infection.

AP

Khay Giancoi

Researchers around the world describe this experience as "irresponsible," much questioning about its moral and moral effects.

A British scientist, calling this experience "brutal", said researchers were playing a "serious game" with healthy children.

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Chinese scientist modifies embryo DNA

Genetic modification is a forbidden experience in Britain, the United States and many other parts of the world because its long-term effects on mental and physical health are poorly understood.

This technique involves the possibility that a modification of the DNA can mutate other genes, potentially dangerous mutations that can be pbaded on to future generations.

"If this is true, the report is worrisome," said Dr. Cathy Nyakan of the Francis Crick Institute in London, "this will be an irresponsible, immoral and very dangerous use of genome modification technology." Unwanted side effects, it is too early to try to do it. "

AP

Professor Julian Savolisco, director of the Uehiro Practical Ethics Center at Oxford University, said the experiment exposed healthy children to risks of genetic engineering. "without necessary benefit". If this is true, it is a brutal experience.

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Some scientists have called for the establishment of an international treaty on embryo research to prevent similar experiments in the future.

"In a world where scientists are generally trying to become aware of the moral and social issues badociated with our work, this report takes us back to the stone age," said Professor Darren Griffin, a geneticist at Kent University. They try to move forward in the absence of moral constraints. "

However, famed geneticist George Church, a Harvard professor, defended the attempt to release the gene to prevent HIV infection, which he described as a "major threat to public health."

Dr. Giancoi explained that his goal of the operation was not to cure or prevent a genetic disease, but to try to give a trait that few people have the ability to withstand HIV infection.

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Study: longevity is not genetically

On Monday, November 26, in Hong Kong, Khah announced his experience as an organizer of an international conference on gene dissemination, scheduled for Tuesday, November 27, as well as in an exclusive interview with Associated Press. .

In recent years, scientists have discovered a relatively easy way to release genes through a tool called CRISPR-cas9, which allows DNA to add a gene or disrupt a cause of health problems.

This method has only recently been tested on adults for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, all genetic modifications being limited, which means that patients can not be transferred to their children.

The release of sperm, eggs or embryos is different, the change and modification can be inherited.

Source: Daily Mail

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