Geneticists have been to the United Kingdom Government's fertility regulator applications had been submitted, using a Crispr/Cas9 gene-editing technologies for genetic modification experiments. If approved, it will be the second time in the history of human embryo chromosome modification attempt.
But critics say the technology has been "crossed the line" and is likely to lead to "designer babies", as long as the use of GM technology, will be able to select a satisfactory personal characteristics for the baby. Photo Crispr/Cas9 technology works, that is to "cut" the DNA Double Helix, by deleting a small section, or add a new paragraph This April, Chinese scientists have become the first to use it for "extra" genetically engineered human embryos in vitro to Trier. The view was expressed that this mark a "designer baby" to come a big step down.
In experiments on mice, scientists have successfully by editing the gene encoding to prevent genetic disease. But after an unexpected gene mutation study in China, most geneticists believe that this instrument is not yet mature, and cannot be applied to the human embryo.
The project application for license by Francis of London? Crick Institute Cassie? Dr niyaken (Kathy Niakan). She stressed that will not produce so-called "genetically modified babies" because the team only wanted to understand the genetics of early embryonic development of knowledge.
But she also acknowledged that some day in the future, GM can ensure security, into a legitimate medical practice, and morally acceptable. For example, this technology can be used to prevent IVF babies may have a genetic disease or hereditary disease.
"We are not for general medical purposes on gene transformation, we are just interested in the basic mechanisms in the development of the embryo. "Dr niyaken said. Critics say the technology has "crossed the line" and is likely to lead to "designer babies", as long as the use of GM technology, will be able to select a satisfactory personal characteristics for the baby. "If we can find from the results, there is some improvement after IVF embryo method, or to add the implantation rate and prevent abortion methods, these methods include traditional healing, rather than through the manipulation of genes. "In addition, if the application is approved, upon completion of the project, which has undergone genetic modification of embryos will be destroyed immediately, could not survive.
"Someone suggested that GM might be used to correct genetic defects, improve immunity, can even produce characteristic of humans doesn't already have. But whether this will be accepted, will be decided by the Community--science can tell us what is possible, what is impossible. "She added.
In 2008, the United Kingdom IVF law is modified to allow researchers in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), under the supervision of performed on embryos of the two weeks following gene manipulation experiments for use in research,
But even after the law is amended in 2008, genetically modified embryo implants in the endometrium is illegal, other violations include changing "germline" DNA change in charge of the DNA of other cells in the body, or change chromosomes and passed on to the next generation, and so on.
Even so, the dispute is still ongoing, as some opponents fear that DNA transformation will have unforeseeable health problem, and passed down from generation to generation in humans.
Dr niyaken said that she was ready to do the work is in the HFE legislation amended in 2008. Knowledge gained from the research will help scientists understand how health human embryo growth, also explains the causes of miscarriage. She also added that after the study may improve IVF embryos, also improves the treatment of infertility.
If the team gets the license, they want to start working as soon as possible-although they must first get enough embryos.
This April, Chinese scientist to use human embryos for the first time a gene editing technology called Crispr/Cas9. The team from the province, Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China. Their research aims to change beta Eastern Mediterranean anemia (a potentially fatal blood disease) genes.
They use state of the art "cut, copy," technology, prior to injection of enzymes, and then attempt to Amendment 86 embryonic genes. These embryos come from the local fertility clinics will be able to develop into mature embryos or normal birth.
Only 28 cases of embryonic gene changes, but even in these embryos, and the large number of scientists had not expected the genetic mutations.
Many experts believe that the ultimate failure of this experiment, we have to have a watch on this technology. There are a lot of people are deeply worried, that scientists have gone too far.
After scientists conducted the study in China, United States Government launched a campaign moratorium for State-funded genetic modification experiments, from the legal prohibition of the conduct of this activity. Many scientists welcomed the announcement.
University of Edinburgh, Bruce? Professor huaitelao (Bruce Whitelaw) said: "the purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of early human embryo growth. If we want to improve the in vitro fertilization, which is needed for medical knowledge. ”
However, critics believe that this will increase "genetically modified babies" rate.
David? King (David King) is "early warning group of the human genome", Director of this organization are opponents of genetically modified babies. Dr King said: "the world has produced a consensus against crossing the moral bottom line, the public must make their voice, to show their support. ”
"Otherwise, we will one day be traded in markets ' senior ' GM designer babies. “
A spokesman for the HFEA said: "If gene editing experiment is performed on embryos for therapeutic purposes, that is illegal. From 2009 onwards, the law allows the experiment for research purposes, as long as the research project meets legal requirements, and the HFEA licenses. We recently received a report on the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology applications. It belongs to one of our research project that issued the license, we will consider whether it should pass. “
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