Modification of the CRISPR gene can cause risky collateral damage to DNA: study

Scientists studying the effects of the potentially changing CRISPR / Cas9 gene editing tool have found that it can cause unexpected genetic damage that could lead to dangerous changes in some cells.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology on Monday, have safety implications for gene therapies that are being developed using CRISPR / Cas9 – a type of molecular scissor technology that can be used to modify the DNA.

They also add to the results published last month.

"We found that changes in DNA have been seriously underestimated before," said Allan Bradley, professor at Wellcome Sanger Institute's Britain co-led the research published on Monday.

He urged "whoever thinks to use this technology for gene therapy" to proceed with great caution, and to watch very carefully to check for possible harmful effects. "

CRISPR / CAS9 is one of the new genome editing tools. It can alter sections of DNA in cells by cutting at specific points and introducing changes there.

It is already widely used in scientific research and is considered by many to be a promising way to create genome editing treatments. HIV, cancer or sickle cell disease

Experts say such treatments could inactivate a pathogen or correct a genetic mutation, but there is still a lot of research to be done to make sure the techniques are safe.

a comprehensive systematic study in human and mouse cells and found that CRISPR / Cas9 frequently caused extensive mutations, including large genetic rearrangements such as deletions and DNA insertions.

This could lead to the activation or deactivation of important genes. therapies – but could also have major unexpected implications, the scientists said.