America reportedly has moved ahead in a controversial race to tinker with human DNA but the scientific feat is shrouded in unanswered questions.
The MIT Technology Review published on Wednesday a news report about the first-known experiment to create genetically modified human embryos in the United States using a gene-editing tool called CRISPR.
Shoukhrat Mitalipov, director of the Oregon Health & Science Universitys Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy, reportedly led the new research. Mitalipov and the university would not confirm details of the research to CNN.
Results of the peer-reviewed study are expected to be published soon in a scientific journal. No further information will be provided before then, according to an emailed statement from the universitys press office. Another researcher cited in the MIT report, the Salk Institutes Jun Wu, did not reply to CNNs request for comment.
Mitalipov also declined to comment in the MIT Technology Review report, referencing the research results have not been published yet in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which is considered the gold standard for scientific research. The author of the MIT report would not confirm to CNN whether he had seen the paper.
Previously, Mitalipov and his colleagues reported the first success in cloning human stem cells in 2013, successfully reprogramming human skin cells back to their embryonic state. In 2007, a research team led by Mitalipov announced they created the first cloned monkey embryo and extracted stem cells from it.
The MIT Technology Review reported the researchers in Portland, Oregon edited the DNA of a large number of one-cell embryos, specifically targeting genes associated with inherited diseases in those embryos. The MIT Technology Review could not determine which disease genes had been chosen for editing in the new research.
Im not surprised that they were looking at genetic diseases to try and see if they could target them, because thats exactly where I think the future inevitably leads, said Arthur Caplan, a professor and founding head of the division of bioethics at New York University Langone Medical Center, who was not involved in the research.
CRISPR research and controversy
Previously, scientists in China were the first in the world to reveal attempts to modify genes in human embryos using CRISPR. Three separate papers were published in scientific journals describing various studies in China on gene editing in human embryos.
When it comes to the new research, my reaction was this is an interesting incremental step and, boy, I bet its going to get blown up as being more important than it is, said Hank Greely, professor of law and genetics at Stanford University, who was not involved in the research. Its not the first time anybody has CRISPR-ed human embryos. Its not the first time anybodys CRISPR-ed viable human embryos. Its certainly not the first time people have CRISPR-ed viable mammalian embryos. Its the first time its been done in the US, but the embryos dont care where they are.
Yet, the research has already generated attention and controversy.
This is pushing the research faster than I thought we would see, said Dana Carroll, professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah, if the MIT Technology Review report rings true. Carroll has used CRISPR in his own studies but was not involved in the new research.
He pointed out the new research reportedly involved earlier, more delicate embryos, and CRISPR reportedly was still demonstrated as efficient.
From the perspective of research that would ultimately make germline editing safer and more effective, the earlier embryos will provide more relevant information, he said.
CRISPR an acronym for clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats allows scientists to cut and edit small pieces of DNA at precise areas along a DNA strand, essentially modifying DNA.
Once scientists discovered they could develop a system that modifies pieces of DNA, they tested the gene-editing technology in microbes, then non-human mammals, then non-human primates and then, by 2015, human embryos.
The controversy surrounding gene-editing in human embryos partly stems from concern the changes CRISPR makes in DNA can be passed down to the offspring of those embryos later in life, from generation to generation. Down the line, that could possibly impact the genetic makeup of humans in erratic ways.
There is also considerable concern about off-target effects, such as making mutations at sites in the genome other than the intended target, Carroll said.
In other words, an edit made in one area of DNA possibly could cause problems in another, as a ripple or domino effect, which could be concerning.
Some CRISPR critics also have argued gene-editing may give way to eugenics and to allowing embryos to be edited with certain features in order to develop so-called designer babies.
Though, not all experts are too concerned.
Treating diseases
Some people are worried about wheres this all going to head? Are we going to wind up with super babies and eugenics? And, to me, I dont find that an interesting objection. Its too soon for that objection, Caplan said. Clearly, if were going to let this research proceed, its going to be to treat diseases and prevent diseases.
The enthusiasm surrounding gene-editing in human embryos partly stems from the promise CRISPR has shown in editing away and treating devastating intractable diseases. Earlier this year, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine published a report on human genome editing, addressing potential applications of gene editing, including the possible prevention or treatment of disease.
I hope the applications will be for the treatment of serious diseases and in cases where a sensible alternative is not available, as the National Academies report proposes, Carroll said.
Greely said: The National Academy of Sciences came out with a big report on Valentines Day this year about genome editing in humans, and I thought they very usefully divided it into three categories: basic research, treating living people and making changes that will pass down from generation to generation.
As for the reported new research, this is category one. This is basic research, he said. Category three is the ethically crucial one; this isnt that. Were still a long way from that.
Whats next
Other strides have been made recently in CRISPR research. Scientists at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York used the technology to genetically engineer immune cells to target and kill tumor cells in mice.
The mouse study was published in the journal Nature in February. More research is needed to determine whether similar results would appear in humans.
Last year, scientists in the Netherlands published a study in the journal PLOS Pathogens demonstrating CRISPR could be used to edit the DNA of three types of herpes viruses in a petri dish. More research is needed to see whether this tool could be used to fight herpes in actual humans.
Other examples of diseases where CRISPR could show promise as a treatment or preventive approach in the future include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, hemophilia and mitochondrial diseases, such as the rare degenerative condition that the terminally-ill British infant Charlie Gard has, Caplan said.
There are what are called point mutations where you can go in and fix one genetic error. The simpler the genetic error, the easier it might be to try to repair it using a CRISPR gene-insertion technique, Caplan said about genetic diseases. I think rather than trying to treat cystic fibrosis, or treat sickle cell, or treat hemophilia, it does make ethical sense to figure out ways to prevent it. Now, obviously if its too risky we wont do it. If its too dangerous or maybe it wont work, we still dont know. Were in the early, early days (of research), but I dont think its fear of eugenics that should stop us.
Continued here:
Report: Scientists edit human embryos for first time in US - kfor.com
- Copy number variation of the restorer Rf4 underlies human selection ... - Nature.com - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- NYU Langone Health in the NewsThursday, November 9, 2023 - NYU Langone Health - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Eugenics: Plaguing scientific community with dark history | Opinion ... - The Arkansas Traveler - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Cranberries can bounce, float and pollinate themselves: The saucy ... - Japan Today - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Government Housing Assistance Linked to Increased Cancer ... - HealthDay - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Rate of New Lung Cancer Cases Has Decreased Over Last Five Years - HealthDay - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes are linked to a limited ... - Nature.com - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Disparities in Guideline-Concordant Care Found for Black CRC ... - HealthDay - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Mathematician Heather Harrington is new director at the Max Planck ... - EurekAlert - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- New study finds genetic testing can effectively identify patients with ... - EurekAlert - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- STK11 loss leads to YAP1-mediated transcriptional activation in ... - Nature.com - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- CRISPR-broad: combined design of multi-targeting gRNAs and ... - Nature.com - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Master regulator of the dark genome greatly improves cancer T-cell ... - Science Daily - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Omega Therapeutics Showcases Bidirectional and Multiplexed ... - BioSpace - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Today is International 15q Day - ASBMB Today - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Evolution of taste: Sharks were already able to perceive bitter ... - EurekAlert - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Stanford Scientists Uncover New Indicators of Health, Disease, and ... - SciTechDaily - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- NHGRI Director Eric Green elected to the National Academy of ... - National Human Genome Research Institute - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Monkey survives for two years after gene-edited pig-kidney transplant - Nature.com - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Opinion: Interest in RNA Editing Accelerates as Therapies Approach ... - BioSpace - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Regulation of dermal fibroblasts by human neutrophil peptides ... - Nature.com - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Consistent effects of the genetics of happiness across the lifespan ... - Nature.com - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Storytelling through the looking glass of genetics The Stute - The Stute - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Pet dogs shed light on human health, researchers say - UPI News - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Native microbiome dominates over host factors in shaping the ... - Nature.com - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Illinois-led project to sequence soybean genomes, improve future ... - Herald-Whig - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Unrealized targets in the discovery of antibiotics for Gram-negative ... - Nature.com - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- How Biotech And AI Are Transforming The Human - Noema Magazine - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- The Many Lives of Alexandria Forbes - BioSpace - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- CEP20 promotes invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung ... - Nature.com - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Genotyping, sequencing and analysis of 140,000 adults from Mexico ... - Nature.com - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- The role and impact of alternative polyadenylation and miRNA ... - Nature.com - October 16th, 2023 [October 16th, 2023]
- Human - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - January 30th, 2023 [January 30th, 2023]
- Deep Dive Ties Together Dog Genetics, Brain Physiology and Behavior to Explain Why Collies Are Different from Terriers - Scientific American - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- How oxytocin drives connections of newly integrated adult-born neurons: Research - Hindustan Times - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Fact Sheet - National Institute on Aging - December 2nd, 2022 [December 2nd, 2022]
- Human genetic clustering - Wikipedia - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Human Genome Project Fact Sheet - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Abstracts | International Congress of Human Genetics 2023 - November 23rd, 2022 [November 23rd, 2022]
- Ancient DNA and Neanderthals | The Smithsonian Institution's Human ... - November 16th, 2022 [November 16th, 2022]
- Biological Influences on Human Behavior: Genetics & Environment - November 16th, 2022 [November 16th, 2022]
- Fluent BioSciences showcasing breakthrough solutions to enable unprecedented scale, cost-efficiency and access for single-cell RNA sequencing at the... - October 28th, 2022 [October 28th, 2022]
- Human behaviour genetics - Wikipedia - October 23rd, 2022 [October 23rd, 2022]
- Nucleome Therapeutics raises oversubscribed 37.5 million Series A financing to decode the dark matter of the human genome and deliver first-in-class... - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Gladstone data scientist elected to the National Academy of Medicine - EurekAlert - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Ocugen to Host R&D Day in New York City on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 - Yahoo Finance - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Pharmacy researcher earns $2.3 million NIH award to study opioid addiction - EurekAlert - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Study shows age often plays a bigger role than genetics in gene expression and susceptibility to disease - Anti Aging News - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- CSRWire - Direct Relief, Amgen and C/Can Team Up To Improve Access to Breast Cancer Diagnostics and Treatment in Paraguay - CSRwire.com - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Maze Therapeutics Appoints Harold Bernstein, M.D., Ph.D., as President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer - Business Wire - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- New Rare Disease Therapy Effectively Lowers Plasma Phe in Patients with PKU - MD Magazine - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- GSK : announces expanded collaboration with Tempus in precision medicine to accelerate R&D - Marketscreener.com - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Famous Scientific Discoveries That Changed the Course of History - 24/7 Wall St. - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Construction workers seek fulfilment of their demands - Star of Mysore - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Genetics | The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Genetics - Wikipedia - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Study looking at human genetics and Covid vaccine immune responses - Science Media Centre - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- ASHG 2022 in Los Angeles brings together researchers from around the world to advance discoveries in genetics, genomics research - EurekAlert - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Maze Therapeutics Appoints Harold Bernstein, M.D., Ph.D., as President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer - Yahoo Finance - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Age of the Pangenome Dawns - DNA Science - PLOS - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Influence of the microbiome, diet and genetics on inter-individual variation in the human plasma metabolome - Nature.com - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Genome editing technologies: final conclusions of the re-examination of Article 13 of the Oviedo Convention - Council of Europe - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Global Biobank Meta-analysis Initiative making genome-wide association studies more diverse and representative - EurekAlert - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- New NHS genetic testing service could save thousands of children in England - The Guardian - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Covid protection may be boosted by genes, study shows - Yahoo News Australia - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Genomics in Cancer Care Market is estimated to be US$ 72.61 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 16.3% during the forecast period 2032 - By PMI -... - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Identification of hub genes and candidate herbal treatment in obesity through integrated bioinformatic analysis and reverse network pharmacology |... - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Our *Homo sapiens* ancestors shared the world with Neanderthals, Denisovans and other types of humans whose DNA lives on in our genes -... - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Blue Eyed People Have a Single Ancestor | History of Yesterday - History of Yesterday - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Heart infection could be cause of death of Polish, US hero - ABC News - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- 23andMe Announces Trials-in-Progress Poster Presentation on 23ME-00610, An Investigational Antibody Targeting CD200R1, at The Society for... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- The Genetic Drivers Of Longevity In Mice, Humans And Worms - Science 2.0 - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- ANGPTL7, a therapeutic target for increased intraocular pressure and glaucoma | Communications Biology - Nature.com - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- 'Neanderthal Man' Nobel Prize winner Svante Pbo revolutionized anthropology. Here is a look back at his groundbreaking 2014 memoir - Genetic Literacy... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Understanding Human Genetic Variation - NCBI Bookshelf - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- Genetics - National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- People with ME invited to take part in major genetic study - The Independent - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- Ketamine Promising for Rare Condition Linked to Autism - Medscape - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- How a small, unassuming fish helps reveal gene adaptations - University of Wisconsin-Madison - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- How Nutrigenomics Explores Links Between Nutrition And Genes - Health Digest - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]