Researcher announces her intention to create more babies edited by CRISPR

A Russian researcher has announced controversial projects to create gene-modified babies, saying he has the skills and technology to do so and that he will go from there before he can get approval. Denis Rebrikov, of the Russian Medical Research University Pirogov in Moscow, announced his intention to implant gene-modified embryos in women by the end of the year, provided that they are not damaged. he is authorized to do so.

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This proposal follows last year's universal condemned experiment by Chinese scientist He Jiankui, which resulted in the birth of genetically modified twins resistant to HIV infection.

Jiankui did this by using the CRISPR / cas9 gene editing tool to remove the CCR5 gene in embryos before implanting them in a woman. CCR5 is the gene that encodes the cell membrane receptor used by HIV to enter immune cells.

Rebrikov's experience would disable the same gene, but the researcher thinks he can do a better job, claiming that his technique would offer superior benefits, pose less risk and be more justifiable. Rebrikov plans to implant the embryos retained in HIV-positive mothers to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their baby during pregnancy.

When he announced the birth of the first babies in the world with modified genes, the reckless act quickly sparked an international outcry and other scientists lamented that information about the projects should be previously denounced for not l & rsquo; Have reported. Rebrikov, on the other hand, at least shared his plans and showed himself willing to discuss them before proceeding.

"The technology is not ready"

The scientific community now has the opportunity to do what they can not do with He and work with Rebrikov to discuss the risks, many of which call into question his understanding.

Whether the experiment continues or not, the fact that Rebrikov has announced the proposal shows that he is not the only scientist willing to perform unauthorized genetic alterations in human reproduction. Other scientists are ready to proceed with the modification of the human germ line gene, which alters the DNA of sperm, ova or embryos and will be pbaded on to future generations.

This is one of the main reasons why his experience has sparked a wide debate around the world. Although many researchers agree that a change in the germline may one day help eliminate genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, much more research is needed before it can be used. this substance to modify human beings. The scientific community is now under pressure to stop such work and put in place strict regulations.

However, according to Rebrikov, he has already made an agreement with an HIV center to recruit HIV-positive women to be involved in the experiment – a decision that is of concern to scientists and bioethicists.

Molecular biologist Jennifer Doudna (University of California, Berkeley), pioneer of the CRISPR-Cas9 tool that Rebrikov intends to use, said:

The technology is not ready … This is not surprising, but it is very disappointing and disturbing. "

Since he announced his controversial experience, scientists and ethicists around the world have debated ways to prevent the illegal badembly of human germs in the clinic.

Some called for a worldwide moratorium on germ line modification that would result in genetically modified children until it is possible to agree on whether its use is safe, justifiable and acceptable. Others, including a WHO advisory committee, have requested that any proposal involving modification of embryos or germ cells be recorded in a globally accessible registry.

However, the point on which virtually everyone agrees is that, for the moment, any new germ line edition in human reproduction is reckless and irresponsible.

Having already worked with preimplantation genetic diagnostic technique to help couples avoid transmitting diseases to their offspring, Rebrikov knows that this method and others are better and safer options than gene editing. # 39; embryos.

He acknowledges that the cases where the benefits of embryo editing outweigh the risks are rare, but argues that one of them is the situation in which a HIV-positive woman does not respond well to antiretroviral therapy and may therefore transmit the virus to her baby. .

However, opponents are very critical of the projects, claiming that it is too risky to increase the number of CRISPR babies, as it is impossible to know what unexpected effects a baby's gene modification may have. A recent study showed that the deactivation of two copies of the CCR5 The gene not only protects against HIV, but can be badociated with effects on cognition and lifespan.

Examine the legality of gene editing in Russia

Many countries have banned the implantation of gene-modified embryos. Most genetic engineering experiments are banned in Russia, but regulations regarding the modification of embryos are unclear.

According to a 2017 study, Russian regulations do not clearly explain the rules relating to the editing of embryo genes in the clinic. Rebrikov wants the Ministry of Health to clarify this in the next nine months, as he urgently wants to help HIV-infected women. He says he is tempted to go ahead even before the regulations are confirmed.

Rebrikov admits that if he proceeded before the regulations were properly in place, he would be considered irresponsible as He Jiankui, but he said that he would only do it if he was certain of the security of the procedure: "I think I'm crazy enough to do it," he says.