Human Genome Editing: From China to
U.S. –What’s next??
Ever since the introduction of CRISPR/CAS system to
the world it’s conversion and transformation in to a state of the art genome
editing tool and its initial success stories, speculations have been made at
various stages for the application of this technology on humans initially for
the curing and preventing certain genetic disorders but in long terms for the
creation of enhanced individuals with better physical and mental capabilities.
The very reason for such consideration is because of the secrets wrapped inside
our genome all the attributes that are possessed by humans are a resultant of
what information is present in the genome, altering and manipulating that
information simply means we can alter all attributes and ultimately the very
existence of human individuals. Although such experiments are greatly
criticized, prohibited and forbidden by governments, humanitarian groups, and
scientific communities, such experiments are on a move one way or the other.
Various trials are being conducted on small to medium scale in some parts of
the world with US and China being the most prominent ones.
Human genome
editing in China:
Since the dawn of the 21st century the
Chinese began with a promise to be the complete masters and global leaders in
science and technology. Like other major technological fields like the
artificial intelligence, high speed telecom and sustainable energy systems they
adopted a similar approach in case of the novel CRISPR based genome editing
technology. The technology turned out to be a feasible and effective one for
genetic manipulation for the first time in 2013, the world was still in
discussion of whether the tech should be used in human’s case or should be
limited to certain plant and animal species alone while the world was still
engaged in an argument the Chinese decided step up in this issue. In 2015 the
first ever report of using CRISPR gene editing technology in human case came up
front, a group of Chinese scientist had reported about their attempts for
making mutation corrections in case of beta-thalassemia a heritable blood
disorder, while they mentioned how the experiment was conducted and their
ultimate goals they also explained how the tech caused multiple off target
effects resulting in many off target mutations and rendered the edited embryos
non-viable. In the year 2016 a second report came up with Chinese scientists
attempting to create viable edits in human embryos for making them HIV
resistant by altering a gene called the CCR5 but the edited embryos were not
viable to proliferate. Initial attempts in human genome editing field by the
Chinese was a proof how far they have come up in this field in comparison to
rest of the world and what achievements
are possible once the trial is successful. In the year 2018 there came a time
when the Chinese finally succeed; Dr. Hi Jiankui reported the creation/birth of
first ever genetically modified humans the use of CRISPR technology for turning
off CCR5 gene and preventing off target effects in embryos which enabled it to
survive and later develop in to babies. The twins born are to be kept under a
designed medical surveillance until they reach the age of 18, with their
medical expenditures of all type to be covered up by Dr. Hi’s project.
Following this announcement Dr. Hi met with a massive back lash from local and
international authorities and was subjected to numerous investigations.
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| Dr. Hi Jiankui presenting his research at International Summit on Human Genome Editing IN Singapore |
Human Genome
Editing in Germany:
Germany became the first major Western country to
allow the human genome editing clinical trials on a limited scale. A group of
multinational biotechnology firms including CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex
pharmaceuticals have enrolled 30 patients in a hospital in Regensburg, the
patients will be treated for beta-thalassemia by creating a special single edit
which will create a condition called Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Hemoglobin
(HPFH) this results in production of fetal haemoglobin which is almost equally
effective as normal haemoglobin and the resultant will be a reduction in
overall effect of thalassemia.
Human Genome
Editing in USA:
The USA in many means the home of CRISPR technology,
place where it was created and where it was first used for genetic editing (not
in humans), but there were still some hurdles in place, after various legal
battles the FDA finally approved use of this tech in human trials on US soil
for the first time ever. The first trial for use of CRISPR gene editing on
humans was approved for 18 patients and has been applied to 2 patients till
now. A group of scientists from the University of Pennsylvania is using CRISPR technology
to cure cancer. For this the team is using a combination of CAR-T technique
with CRISPR gene editing, in this the researcher are extracting out some of the
host immune cells (T-cells) later on creating to edits in the cells; one at a
gene called PD-1 which is exploited by cancer cells to put a halt to the immune
cells, the second edit is in a receptor molecule used by immune cells for sensing
danger and replacing it with a highly specific engineered receptor which will specifically
target cancerous or tumour cells. After making the specific edits the cells
will be infused back in to patient’s bodies for combating with cancer. The official
results of the following trial will be published in detail in near future.
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| Immune cells specifically targeting cancer cells (Predicted) |
Conclusion:
The world is developing at a rapid pace in both directions
positive and negative. To come up with negative part there is a dire need for
developing affective defence strategies, in light of this issue genome editing technology
could be of immense value but various constrains and specifically the ethical dilemma
surrounding this tech is a major issue, and why all this questioning and ethical
concerns now?? Where were all these ethicists when a handful of powerful organizations
were busy in destroying our environment by exploiting the world in every manner?
Question comes here is this really about ethical concerns or to pave a pathway for
private sector to commercialize this tech completely and to have complete authority
of this tech under so called government approved structures….
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