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It will take years, maybe at least a decade, before Lulu and Nana can begin to understand how they are different from the rest of the population. Born this month in China, the twins would carry genes – strands of DNA code – modified for immunity to HIV with an "update" tool while they were still unicellular embryos not yet in the womb of their mother.
At least that's what He jiankui, one of the researchers involved, says. The Associated Press (AP), which for the first time reported its claims, says there is no independent confirmation yet. But if He Jiankui did what he says, an MIT publication is of the opinion, he wrote a "staggering medical achievement".
How were the Lulu and Nana genes modified? The inner life of the cells is difficult to explain without jargon, but He Jiankui (himself a father of two girls) does a rather commendable job. He added that an egg from the twin's mother, Grace, had been artificially fertilized with their HIV-positive father's sperm. With the sperm, he's team "also sent some protein and instructions for gene surgery, "the one who" deleted the door through which HIV comes in to infect people. "A test conducted prior to the implantation of embryos into their mother showed that the procedure had" operated safely, as expected ".
The gene that He Jiankui sought to disable is called CCR5, which forms a protein gate that allows HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, to enter a cell. The technology used is called CRISPR-cas9.
You can watch He Jiankui describe the procedure here.
He Jiankui told the AP that tests suggest that one of the girls had both copies of the CCR5 gene (remember, this is the one who is responsible for the "door" of HIV.). The other girl had a modified gene. "No gene has been modified, except for the one intended to prevent HIV infection," said the scientist in his video statement. "Girls are safe and healthy like all other babies."
People with a copy of the gene can contract HIV, but very limited research suggests that their health may decline more slowly once it has occurred.
Two genetic experts questioned the decision to allow the use of one of the embryos during an attempted pregnancy because the researchers had claimed that they knew of That both copies of the desired gene had not been altered.
But even if the editing worked perfectly, people without normal CCR5 genes run a higher risk of infection with other viruses like the West Nile, and die of the flu. Since there are many ways to prevent HIV infection and it's very easy to treat it if it occurs, these other medical risks are a cause for concern, said Kiran Musunuru, an expert in gene editing at the University of Pennsylvania.
A monitor showing a video sequence of a fine glass pipette containing the Cas9 protein and the PCSK9 sgRNA being transferred into an embryo with the aid of a microscope. (Photo: AP)
He jiankui knows that his work is controversial, and admits so much. "But I think families need this technology and I'm ready to accept criticism," he said.
What about fears about "designer" babies? "Genetic surgery is and should remain a healing technology," said He Jiankui. "Improving IQ or choosing hair color or eyes is not what a loving parent does."
"It should be forbidden."
Entries from the associated press
WATCH | First gene-modified babies reported in China (YouTube / AP)
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