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A Chinese scientist announced a few weeks ago the birth of twins whose DNA he modified using the CRISPR gene processing technique. If this turns out to be true, it has a world first. But it's far too reckless, say different experts.
The idea is known for a long time: if parents with an inherited disease want to have a child in the family, you can do it by IVF. After fertilization, you then have a group of a few cells, in which you "clear" the gene of the disease or cut it with CRISPR tools ("Embryo treatment has begun"). The embryo then becomes a genetically healthy child. After all, the "gene of the disease" is no longer present in the DNA.
HIV
He Jiankui, who works in China but studies in the United States, claims to have implemented this theory: very early edit the DNA of an embryo. It has not only expelled or removed a gene that certainly causes a disease, but rather a gene that makes people resistant to HIV infection (a resistance that few people have naturally).
The reason was that a couple wants to have a child whose husband is HIV-positive, that he does not want to pass on to his children. After an ordinary IVF treatment (seed with egg in the test tube), he added a special protein to the mini-hoof of the cells. This protein – he euphemistically calls it a "gene surgeon" – is based on CRISPR technology (a "molecular pocket knife") and goes to the gene in question and disables it. The embryo is still developed and the treatment has been successful, according to the Chinese claim. A few weeks ago, two healthy girls were born in the city of Shenzen, Lulu and Nana, a twin.
He speaks about it in a video message – remarkable -:
He also spoke with the press office Associated Press
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