The controversy of Chinese scientists changes the genes of twins, here is the answer of the expert

KOMPAS.com – Great doubts arise as to the claims of a Chinese scientist who claimed to have succeeded in changing the gene for twins for the first time in the world.

The scientist, Professor He Jiankui, said that he had modified the DNA of twins born several weeks ago while they were still embryos.

This genetic modification is called to prevent babies from contracting HIV. The complaint was not verified and angered other scientists.

Scientists say that the idea of ​​modifying genes is something terrible. In addition, this has been banned in a number of countries.

The future

Gene editing can help prevent hereditary diseases by modifying or removing the embryo's DNA codes.

However, experts fear that this method may cause harm not only to the born, but to the next generation.

Also read: In the future, fetal genetic remedies may not be unethical

In other words, it is to be feared that modifications of these genes will be transmitted to future generations.

Many countries have even pbaded laws that prevent the conversion of the genome of embryos when artificial reproduction occurs in humans.

Even in this case, research on the editing of genes in IVF embryos that were rejected was allowed.

The note is that the genes published by the embryo must be destroyed afterwards. That is to say that the modified embryo should not be used to make babies.

"Design" a baby

Although the ban on gene modification has been applied in many countries, Professor He from China said that he had used gene editing tools to create two binoculars named Lulu and Nana.

In videos recorded by Associated pressProfessor He claims to have removed a gene called CCR5.

This makes both babies resistant to HIV when exposed to the virus.

Professor He also said that his "job" was to create children who do not suffer from illness. He did not want to "make" babies with orderly eyes colors or high IQs.

"I understand that my work will be controversial, but I believe that the family needs this technology and I am ready to accept their criticisms," said Professor He in the video cited in BBCMonday (26/11/2018).

Read also: Writing, a new hope to avoid genetic abnormalities

Refuse to get involved

A number of parties, including the hospital that attended the birth of the two babies, actually refused to participate in Professor He's project.

The same thing was said by the South University of Science and Technology of Shenzhen. They mentioned not knowing the research project.

Now the university will investigate this.

Other scientists say that if the report is true, Professor He went too far. In addition, he experimented with healthy embryos.

"If it's a false report, it's a scientific mistake and a lot of irresponsibility," said Professor Robert Winston. One of the instructors in fertility studies at Imperial College London.

"If it's true, it's also a scientific mistake," he added.

Dr. Dusko Ilic, Stem Cell Expert at King & # 39; s College London, also expressed the same point of view.

"If we can call it ethics, then their perception of ethics is very different from that of other parts of the world," Dr. Ilic said.

Too risky

Professor Julian Savulescu, an ethicist at Oxford University, also expressed similar views.

"If this is true, this experience is terrible.The embryo is in good health and has no known disease," said Professor Savulescu.

"The editing of the gene itself is experimental and is always linked to mutations off target, able to cause genetic problems early and late in life, including the development of cancer, "he added.

Read also: The genes called can predict diseases, it means for us

In other words, this experiment exposed healthy children to the risk of genetic modification.

Scientists do not rule out the possibility that the modification of the baby's genes will one day be legalized. However, more controls and actions need to be done before allowing it.

Dr. Yalda Jamshidi, a geneticist in the humanities at St. George's, University of London, said we knew a little about the long-term effects (gene editing) and that most people do not get it. would argue that experiments on human beings could be avoided only to improve morally our knowledge. and ethically unacceptable.

"Whether results are consistent with supervision or not, the public needs to consider when and where we are willing to take risks badociated with new therapeutic treatments, particularly those that may affect future generations," he said.