Human genome editing: wait, colleagues!
Scientists have proposed to declare a moratorium on experiments
with interference with human DNA before the adoption of the code of ethics
Geneticists have called on colleagues to suspend experiments on human embryos, spermatozoa and eggs using the latest technologies of precise gene editing. The corresponding appeal was published in the journal Nature (David Cyranoski, Scientists sound alarm over DNA editing of human embryos).
According to the authors of the appeal, it is necessary to declare a moratorium on such interventions in the genome until a strict ethical code is developed. They fear that otherwise society will reject these technologies, which are used to correct genetic defects, which will jeopardize the future of promising methods of treating hereditary diseases.
"These studies can be used for non-medical purposes. We are concerned that public outrage against unethical methods will slow down the development of promising methods of treatment," the appeal says. – It is necessary to declare a moratorium on interventions in the germ cells of the human embryo."
Fears are related to the fact that such experiments may in the future lead to the creation of "superhumans" and "designer babies" – children with certain traits and properties. In addition, the problem is that such interference will affect all subsequent generations.
"Man is not a laboratory rat and not an experienced plant specimen," emphasizes the author of the appeal, Chairman of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine in Washington, Edward Lanfear. "Man is a unique biological species of our planet. I do not question the fact that this is a border that humanity should not cross."
Recently, Chinese geneticist Xingxiu Huang from Shanghai Technological University applied to the Ethics Committee for permission to conduct experiments on precise gene editing on human embryos. In 2014, he and his colleagues have already conducted such experiments on monkeys, as a result of which live individuals with an altered genome were born.
One of the reasons why such technologies cause concern is that with their help mutations can occur in those genes that were not provided for by the experiment.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru16.03.2015