UN: Gene editing for human reproduction is "irresponsible"

GENEVA – A panel convened by the World Health Organization said it would be "irresponsible" for scientists to use gene editing for reproductive purposes, without however claiming a prohibition.

The experts also asked the US health agency to create a database of scientists working on gene editing. The recommendation was announced Tuesday after a two-day meeting in Geneva to examine the scientific, ethical, social and legal challenges of such research.

"At present, it is irresponsible on the part of anyone to proceed with" the creation of gene-modified babies, as DNA changes could be pbaded on to future generations, experts said. a statement.

Last year, Chinese researcher He Jiankui rocked the scientific community by announcing that he helped to make the first babies in the world with modified genes by modifying binoculars' DNA to make them resistant to HIV. the AIDS virus.

The announcement comes from the call by an international group of scientists and ethicists for a temporary ban on gene-modified babies in the journal Nature last week.

Margaret Ann Hamburg, co-chair of the WHO expert group, and her colleagues refused to call for a similar ban.

"I do not think that a moratorium is the answer to what needs to be done," she said. "What we are trying to do is to look at the big picture."

She added that the experts envisioned a WHO-led database where journal editors and funders of gene editing research would require scientists to sign up.

Earlier this year, Chinese investigators said he had avoided supervising his work and had violated research standards because he wanted to be famous. According to the report, it could face consequences, without specifying the regulations it could have broken.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the formation of the group in early December after he revealed his experience.

"We have to be very, very careful about how to proceed," Tedros said at the time. "We have a large part of our population saying," Do not touch. ""

Gene editing is designed as a more accurate way of doing gene therapy. The attempt in adults to treat diseases is not controversial and changes in DNA are not pbaded on to future generations. But most scientists think that modifying genes to make babies is too risky at the moment, because of the risk of damaging other genes and the fact that unknown changes to DNA could be transmitted.

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Cheng reported from London.

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