Read This Before You Freak Out Over Gene-Edited Superbabies

by Nick Stockton
On April 18, Chinese scientists were editing DNA on about 80 fertilized (but nonviable)
eggs. The purpose of their experiment was to eliminate a recessive sequence of code that
cause B-thalassemia. B-thalassemia is a type of blood disorder that reduces the production of
hemoglobin. This leads to lack of oxygen to many of our body parts. They were using a machine
called CRISPR/Cas9. According to a research article about the chinese scientists, published in
Protein & cell,
we found that CRISPR/Cas9 could effectively cleave the endogenous -globin
gene (HBB). However, the efficiency of homologous recombination directed
repair (HDR) of HBB was low and the edited embryos were mosaic. Off-target
cleavage was also apparent
As a result, this research on human fertilized (nonviable) eggs highlights the need to further
improve CRISPR/Cas9.
B-thalassemia is a mutation in a single gene and any other edits besides that could have
unforeseen consequences.
These scientists made an outcry because people thought this was ethically and morally
wrong and makes it look like genetic research is skidding out of control. There have been two
extremes. Some think gene editing for therapeutic purposes will inevitably lead to the creation
of genetic classism. On the other side, this could be a medical breakthrough. According to this
article , the public needs to get educated on all the potential consequences of gene editing.
Also, researchers needs to be more efficient, while being safe before they start editing any
embryos.
This is a young age for gene editing and researches need to answer these questions
before they test it. What can we do? and Is it safe? because this research can change
everything. Scientist needs more time and room because this may take years and years until
they figure out the efficacy and safety of embryonic gene editing