[ad_1]
He Jiankui claims to have contributed to the creation of the first genetically modified babies in the world: binoculars which he altered DNA. (Mark Schiefelbein / AP)
A Chinese scientist sowed confusion, alarm and shock in the scientific community on Monday claiming that he had altered the DNA of the twin twins, Lulu and Nana, who he said were born "Crying in the world as healthy as any other baby". a few weeks ago.
The explosive announcement, made through a press interview and Videos posted by He Jiankui of the South China University of Science and Technology are on the eve of an international summit dedicated to emerging science and ethics around the world. Powerful tools offering scientists unprecedented potential for tweaking traits and eliminating genetic diseases. have caused the fear of "designer babies".
A physicist by training, he told The Associated Press that embryos from seven in vitro fertilized couples had been published. He used a tool called CRISPR to disable a gene that allows HIV to infect cells, resulting in pregnancy.
He did not respond to attempts to contact him by e-mail or phone.
[Stephen Hawking feared race of ‘superhumans’ able to manipulate their own DNA]
"I think this just shows that the time has come to talk about the ethics of genome editing because the world can not wait," said Insoo Hyun, bioethicist at Case Western Reserve University . "We do not know to what extent this is true or verified. These are all kinds of. . . rumors at this point. . . but in terms of scientific and medical justification, I do not think there is one. "
According to a description of the experience published online, he would have created embryos from couples whose father was infected with HIV. The use of this technology has immediately been a problem for ethicists because there are other ways to prevent HIV transmission to the fetus and many believe that the first applications of genetic modification should be reserved for truly incurable diseases. In the video, he stated that only one gene had been modified by the editing procedure, but it is known that gene editing introduces unintended genetic effects that could cause concern, whether for the children themselves or for the human gene pool, if the children grow up. transmit their genes.
"Gene surgery is and should remain a healing technology. Improving the IQ or choosing the color of the hair or eyes is not what a loving parent does. This should be banned, "he said in a YouTube video. "I know that my work will be controversial, but I believe that families need this technology and I am willing to accept the criticism that is made of it."
[The Pentagon is studying an insect army to defend crops. Critics fear a bioweapon.]
The public announcement was highly unconventional, with no supporting data provided to verify the claims and no submission to the traditional peer review process. This posed serious questions to scientists about respect for traditional supervisory channels, as well as what to believe from experience and results, although he posted a process ethics approval form on his website.
Scientists who had just landed in Hong Kong for the International Summit on Gene Publishing said the news had surprised them.
"If so, this is an extremely premature and questionable experience in creating genetically modified children," said Jeffrey Kahn, director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. "There is a lot to understand and discuss about monitoring or the lack of monitoring."
Matthew Porteus, a pediatrician and stem cell researcher at Stanford University, said the announcement highlighted weaknesses in the current regulatory system. "This is not how I would like to see science progress. I have serious concerns, "Porteus said.
The South University of Science and Technology, where he is currently on leave without pay, issued a statement condemning the experience, saying the university was "deeply shocked" by the news and convened an emergency meeting . The research was done off campus and the university was not aware of the project, according to the release.
The university's academic biology committee "believes that the behavior of Dr. Jiankui He. . . edit human embryos has seriously violated the university ethics and codes of conduct.
In 2002, allegations that a cult would have created a cloned human baby triggered a media storm. The claims have not been verified, but they have amplified ethical discussions about the possibility and triggered calls for the prohibition of human cloning.
"At the dawn of the second International Summit on Genome Publishing, this announcement sounds like a cynical attempt to make headlines," said Pete Mills, deputy director of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. "If the claims are true, they are premature. inexplicable and possibly reckless that could threaten the responsible development of future applications of genome editing. "
[ad_2]
Source link
