What are the ethics of baby gene-editing?
6 years, 3 months ago

What are the ethics of baby gene-editing?

India Today  

Paris, Dec 1 A Chinese scientist's stunning claim he has pioneered the world's first genetically modified baby has suddenly made the eternal debate over ethics and emerging scientific capabilities pressing and real. "It's obvious that everything that is technically feasible is not ethically desirable," said Cynthia Fleury, a member of the French Ethics Committee. "Trying to rush the technology forwards, skipping vital scientific and ethical steps, could end up setting us all back," warned Dr Kathy Niakan, a biologist at the Francis Crick Institute in London. "You can't just say that something is taboo and that's that, you can't ever think about it again," Anne Cambon-Thomsen, a specialist in immunogenetics and health ethics, and emeritus head of research at France's CNRS national scientific research centre, told AFP.

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History of this topic

The controversial scientist He Jiankui hasn’t given up on gene-edited babies
3 weeks, 3 days ago

The controversial scientist He Jiankui hasn’t given up on gene-edited babies

The Economist  

T he world was shocked in 2018 when He Jiankui, a Chinese biophysicist, announced that he had helped to produce two girls whose genetic code he had edited when they had been embryos. Scientists around the world condemned the work as wildly premature and possibly dangerous—the Chinese authorities agreed and Dr He was imprisoned for three years. And he still …

S. Africa’s new research guidelines not a green light for heritable human genome editing
3 months, 1 week ago

S. Africa’s new research guidelines not a green light for heritable human genome editing

Raw Story  

The recently updated South African Ethics in Health Research Guidelines have been a recent cause of concern, with some researchers and bioethicists interpreting them as allowing what’s known as heritable human genome editing. Rather than allowing heritable human genome editing, the guidelines acknowledge the reality that South African law already allows human genome editing. That this was the purpose is …

Ethical guideline issued for genome editing
8 months, 1 week ago

Ethical guideline issued for genome editing

China Daily  

China has issued a set of ethical rules on human genome editing, reiterating a strict ban on altering germ cells and embryos and clarifying standard ethical practices for gene editing research. "At present, any clinical research involving germline genome editing is irresponsible and not permitted," it said. Regarding clinical research involving genome editing of somatic cells — which are cells …

Guideline sets ethical rules for human genome editing research
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Guideline sets ethical rules for human genome editing research

China Daily  

China on Wednesday released a guideline that lays out a set of ethical rules for human genome editing research. Regarding clinical research involving genome editing of somatic cells — which are cells in the body other than sperm and egg cells, it said that such research should be aimed at preventing or treating diseases and should be carried out after …

Disgraced Chinese scientist He Jiankui who was jailed in 2019 for genetically editing human babies is back in the lab - and claims he's 'proud' of his past work
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Disgraced Chinese scientist He Jiankui who was jailed in 2019 for genetically editing human babies is back in the lab - and claims he's 'proud' of his past work

Daily Mail  

A disgraced Chinese scientist who was jailed for genetically editing human babies reveals he has returned to genetic research. He Jiankui has announced he has returned to the lab after being jailed for genetically editing human babies Dr He says that he intends to develop gene editing techniques for the treatment of rare diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and …

For man behind gene-edited babies, a rocky return to science
2 years ago

For man behind gene-edited babies, a rocky return to science

Associated Press  

Five years ago, scientist He Jiankui shocked his peers and the world with claims that he created the first genetically edited babies. Given He’s ambition,“I wouldn’t be surprised that a few years down the line if the opportunity arises, that he would go back” to that sort of work, said Dr. Samira Kiani, a genetic engineer and researcher at the …

Documentary spurs a new look at the case of the first gene-edited babies
2 years, 2 months ago

Documentary spurs a new look at the case of the first gene-edited babies

Salon  

In the four years since an experiment by disgraced scientist He Jiankui resulted in the birth of the first babies with edited genes, numerous articles, books and international commissions have reflected on whether and how heritable genome editing – that is, modifying genes that will be passed on to the next generation – should proceed. Creation of the 'CRISPR babies' …

Hopes and fears for the future of biomedicine
2 years, 4 months ago

Hopes and fears for the future of biomedicine

The Independent  

Advances in biomedicine have vastly improved healthcare over the world, including its poorest countries. If the relevant technologies continue to advance, there seems a real long-term prospect that human beings – their brains and their bodies – could be ‘enhanced’ via genetic and cyborg modification In addition to the distinction between curing and enhancing, many people draw a line between …

Still too soon to try altering human embryo DNA, panel says
4 years, 6 months ago

Still too soon to try altering human embryo DNA, panel says

Associated Press  

It’s still too soon to try to make genetically edited babies because the science isn’t advanced enough to ensure safety, says an international panel of experts who also mapped a pathway for any countries that want to consider it. If drugs or gene therapy after birth can treat a disease, “then it doesn’t make sense to me to layer the …

It’s still too soon to try altering the DNA of human embryos, scientific panel says
4 years, 6 months ago

It’s still too soon to try altering the DNA of human embryos, scientific panel says

LA Times  

It’s still too soon to try to genetically edited human embryos because the science isn’t advanced enough to ensure safety, according to a report by an international panel of experts who also mapped a pathway for any countries that want to consider it. Thursday’s report comes nearly two years after a Chinese scientist shocked the world by revealing he’d helped …

Chinese researcher He Jiankui, who genetically edited babies, jailed for 3 years
5 years, 2 months ago

Chinese researcher He Jiankui, who genetically edited babies, jailed for 3 years

India TV News  

Chinese researcher He Jiankui, who shocked the world by announcing the birth of first genetically edited babies, was jailed on Monday for three years along with two others with lesser sentence for illegal medical practice by a court in southern China. He, who was also fined USD 430,000, claimed in November 2018 that the world's first genetically edited babies were …

World's first genetically altered babies born in China, scientist claims
5 years, 2 months ago

World's first genetically altered babies born in China, scientist claims

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Gene editing itself is experimental and is still associated …

Chinese scientist who created genetically-edited babies gets fined, 3 years in prison
5 years, 2 months ago

Chinese scientist who created genetically-edited babies gets fined, 3 years in prison

Firstpost  

His work had resulted in a third genetically edited baby, who had been undisclosed till earlier this week, by Chinese media. A court in China on Monday sentenced He Jiankui, the researcher who shocked the global scientific community when he claimed that he had created the world’s first genetically edited babies, to three years in prison for carrying out “illegal …

Scientist who edited babies’ genes sentenced to prison
5 years, 2 months ago

Scientist who edited babies’ genes sentenced to prison

Live Mint  

The Chinese scientist who created the world’s first genetically altered babies has been sentenced to three years in prison and a lifelong ban from working in reproductive technology, state media reported on Monday. He Jiankui, a Shenzhen researcher who drew widespread condemnation when he revealed his experiment last year, will also have to pay a 3 million yuan fine, said …

Chinese court sentences 'gene-editing' scientist to three years in prison
5 years, 2 months ago

Chinese court sentences 'gene-editing' scientist to three years in prison

The Hindu  

A Chinese court sentenced the scientist who created the world's first “gene-edited” babies to three years in prison on December 30, according to the official Xinhua media. The editing process, which he calls gene surgery, “worked safely as intended” and the girls are “as healthy as any other babies”, he said in one video. He did not provide any written …

Designer baby revolution could be less than two years away, research suggests
5 years, 4 months ago

Designer baby revolution could be less than two years away, research suggests

The Independent  

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about …

The World Health Organization Says No More Gene-Edited Babies
55 years, 2 months ago

The World Health Organization Says No More Gene-Edited Babies

Wired  

The world’s largest public health authority has weighed in with the most authoritative statement yet on the use of Crispr to alter the DNA of human babies. Eight months after a rogue Chinese scientist revealed he had secretly created the world’s first gene-edited children, the World Health Organization is asking countries to put a stop to any experiments that would …

A Russian Biologist Wants To Create More Gene-Edited Babies
5 years, 9 months ago

A Russian Biologist Wants To Create More Gene-Edited Babies

NPR  

A Russian Biologist Wants To Create More Gene-Edited Babies Enlarge this image toggle caption Gregor Fischer/picture alliance via Getty Images Gregor Fischer/picture alliance via Getty Images A Russian scientist says he wants to create more genetically modified babies, flouting international objections that such a step would be premature, unethical and irresponsible. We demonstrated it's safe to use," says Rebrikov, who …

2 Chinese Babies With Edited Genes May Face Higher Risk Of Premature Death
5 years, 9 months ago

2 Chinese Babies With Edited Genes May Face Higher Risk Of Premature Death

NPR  

2 Chinese Babies With Edited Genes May Face Higher Risk Of Premature Death Enlarge this image toggle caption Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg/Getty Images Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg/Getty Images There are new concerns about the world's first genetically modified babies. "I think we should always be concerned about unanticipated consequences of any new technology, not just gene-editing and embryos," says George Church, a professor of …

China draws up tighter rules on human gene and embryo trials
5 years, 11 months ago

China draws up tighter rules on human gene and embryo trials

The Hindu  

China’s top legislature will consider tougher rules on research involving human genes and embryos, the first such move since a Chinese scientist sparked controversy last year by announcing he had made the world’s first “gene-edited” babies. Under the draft laws sent to China’s legislature for review on Saturday, medical and human trials would face closer scrutiny and stricter requirements, such …

Chinese scientists defend implanting human gene into monkeys’ brains
5 years, 11 months ago

Chinese scientists defend implanting human gene into monkeys’ brains

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — A Chinese researcher who sparked improved cognitive function in monkeys by implanting human genes into their brains has defended his experiment, which has divided the scientific community. In Su’s 2019 study, 11 rhesus monkeys were successfully implanted with copies of the human MCPH1 gene, an important marker for “brain development and brain evolution.” Analysis of the …

Another scientist is editing genes in human embryos, but ethically this time
6 years, 1 month ago

Another scientist is editing genes in human embryos, but ethically this time

Firstpost  

So far, the Columbia University scientist has allowed modified embryos to live no longer than one day. While the Columbia University scientist, Dr Dieter Egli, isn’t creating any genetically-modified babies or implanting these gene-edited embryos into mothers, he admits that the ultimate goal of his future research is probably just that. Egli is a developmental biologist currently working on genetically-modified …

Gene-edited babies were illegal, say Chinese authorities
6 years, 2 months ago

Gene-edited babies were illegal, say Chinese authorities

CNN  

CNN — Authorities in China say experiments which led to the birth of the world’s first gene-edited babies broke the country’s laws, state-run Xinhua news reported Monday. On Monday, investigators from Guangdong Province Health Commission said that “the case has been initially identified as an explicitly state-banned human embryo-editing activity for reproductive purposes conducted by He Jiankui,” Xinhua reported. The …

Gene-edited babies: Chinese scientist was told ‘not to proceed’
6 years, 2 months ago

Gene-edited babies: Chinese scientist was told ‘not to proceed’

CNN  

CNN — As 2018 drew to a close, one scientist unveiled research that entered a new era of science. Everyone he talked to – which was not many people – had said “don’t go there,” “don’t do it,” explained Robin Lovell-Badge of the UK research facility the Francis Crick Institute, who organized the scientific summit in Hong Kong during which …

Chinese scientists who edited human genes have lost touch with the patients whose DNA they tweaked
6 years, 2 months ago

Chinese scientists who edited human genes have lost touch with the patients whose DNA they tweaked

Daily Mail  

Chinese scientists who edited human genes have lost touch with the patients they treated, according to a new Wall Street Journal report. The scientific community is concerned about ethics and unintended consequences just weeks after another Chinese scientist claimed he modified the DNA of twin girls to make them resistant to AIDS - and that he is working on another …

Crispr Babies, IVF, and the Ethics of Genetic Class Warfare
6 years, 3 months ago

Crispr Babies, IVF, and the Ethics of Genetic Class Warfare

Wired  

Last month, Chinese national He Jiankui flouted a vigorous scientific debate when he told a room full of scientists that he had manipulated the embryos of Chinese twins, using Crispr, and made one resistant to their father’s HIV. In The Washington Post, Eileen Hunt Botting wrote that He’s experiment had “no moral or scientific justification, given that the medical profession …

Screening the human future: YouTube, persuasion and genetically engineered children
6 years, 3 months ago

Screening the human future: YouTube, persuasion and genetically engineered children

Salon  

On Sunday, Nov. 25, the scientist He Jiankui claimed the birth of the world’s first genetically engineered children: twins, created by IVF, their DNA altered at fertilization. Instead of “CRISPR-Cas9,” the common name, he insists on the phrase “gene surgery.” It’s a naked attempt to make CRISPR sound precise, like a molecular scalpel. CRISPR is improving in accuracy, but as …

Gene editing: WHO panel to address complex issues
6 years, 3 months ago

Gene editing: WHO panel to address complex issues

CNN  

CNN — The World Health Organization is creating a working group to study gene editing and the complex ethical, social and safety issues the procedure raises. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director-general, discussed the challenges gene editing technologies bring and the creation of an expert panel during a press conference Monday, where he warned of the potential for “unintended consequences.” …

Gene editing experts discuss whether controversy is rushing the still-young technology
6 years, 3 months ago

Gene editing experts discuss whether controversy is rushing the still-young technology

Firstpost  

A Chinese scientist’s stunning claim he has pioneered the world’s first genetically modified baby has suddenly made the eternal debate over ethics and emerging scientific capabilities pressing and real. “It’s obvious that everything that is technically feasible is not ethically desirable,” said Cynthia Fleury, a member of the French Ethics Committee. “Trying to rush the technology” The concern of the …

‘Extremely abominable’: Chinese gene-editing scientist faces law
6 years, 3 months ago

‘Extremely abominable’: Chinese gene-editing scientist faces law

Al Jazeera  

China condemns the work of He Jiankui as institutions distance themselves from the academic who gene-edited twin girls. Xi said genetically engineering the DNA of twin girls so they would not develop HIV, breached scientific ethics, adding that gene-editing of human embryos for reproduction purposes was “explicitly banned” in China. China’s National Health Commission said He’s activities would be investigated …

The scientist, the twins and the experiment that geneticists say went too far
6 years, 3 months ago

The scientist, the twins and the experiment that geneticists say went too far

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — Humanity was reluctantly dragged into a new era this week. “I see it as one of those moments that happens once every few decades,” said William Hurlbut, Senior Research Scholar at Stanford University Medical Center’s Department of Neurobiology. When one audience member at the summit asked whether He had thought about how the girls would see …

China suspends He Jiankui’s research activities
6 years, 3 months ago

China suspends He Jiankui’s research activities

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — China has suspended the research activities of the scientists who claimed to have created the world’s first gene-edited babies, state-run Xinhua news reported Thursday. “The gene-edited twins matter reported by the media has brazenly violated Chinese laws and regulations and breached the science ethics bottom line, which is both shocking and unacceptable,” said Xu Nanping, vice …

Genetics Summit waits for Chinese baby-editing researcher to take the stage
6 years, 3 months ago

Genetics Summit waits for Chinese baby-editing researcher to take the stage

Firstpost  

This is a great blow to China’s reputation & development of biomedical research: Chinese scientists. ‘Immediate investigation’ Qiu Renzong, formerly the vice president of the Chinese Ministry of Health’s ethics committee, told reporters at the gene editing conference that lax regulations in China mean that scientists who break the rules often face no punishment, and think of the ministry as …

China baby gene-editing scientist defends his research, raises possibility of third embryo
6 years, 3 months ago

China baby gene-editing scientist defends his research, raises possibility of third embryo

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — The Chinese scientist who sparked an international outcry after alleging to have helped create the world’s first genetically edited babies has raised the possibility of a third child being born, after announcing that a separate woman was pregnant at an early stage with a modified embryo. He said his research has been submitted to a scientific …

Chinese scientist’s risky experiment with gene-editing babies (opinion)
6 years, 3 months ago

Chinese scientist’s risky experiment with gene-editing babies (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Ford Vox is a physician specializing in rehabilitation medicine. But the CRISPR technique isn’t perfect, and in every few hundred cases, in what is referred to as “off-target events,” it can edit the wrong portion of DNA, potentially creating unwanted mutations. Rice’s spokesperson told me in an email that “this work as described in press reports, violates scientific …

Facing Backlash, Chinese Scientist Defends Gene-Editing Research On Babies
6 years, 3 months ago

Facing Backlash, Chinese Scientist Defends Gene-Editing Research On Babies

NPR  

Facing Backlash, Chinese Scientist Defends Gene-Editing Research On Babies Enlarge this image toggle caption Kin Cheung/AP Kin Cheung/AP Updated at 6:15 a.m. Enlarge this image toggle caption Kin Cheung/AP Kin Cheung/AP She spoke after Harvard Medical School Dean George Daley alluded to He's claims as "missteps" that he worried might set back a highly promising field of research. "Just because …

Inventor of CRISPR calls for a global moratorium on gene-edited embryos, humans
6 years, 3 months ago

Inventor of CRISPR calls for a global moratorium on gene-edited embryos, humans

Firstpost  

The risks of such an experiment are still far greater than its benefits, Zhang said in a statement. A Harvard and MIT member, renowned genetic research Feng Zhang made the statement after a Chinese researcher claimed having helped create the world’s first babies with modified genes using CRISPR. The researcher claiming to have contributed to the success of the gene-editing …

Scientists, officials in China abhor gene editing that geneticist claims
6 years, 3 months ago

Scientists, officials in China abhor gene editing that geneticist claims

Live Mint  

Beijing/Shanghai: Chinese officials and scientists denounced on Tuesday the claims of a geneticist who said he had created the first gene-edited babies, and a hospital linked to his research suggested its ethical approval had been forged. China’s Genetics Society and the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research said in a statement He had acted as an “individual” and his work …

World's first CRISPR gene-edited babies claimed by Chinese researcher as success
6 years, 3 months ago

World's first CRISPR gene-edited babies claimed by Chinese researcher as success

Firstpost  

Society will decide what to do next in terms of allowing or forbidding such science: Researcher. It’s “unconscionable … an experiment on human beings that is not morally or ethically defensible,” said Dr Kiran Musunuru, a University of Pennsylvania gene editing expert and editor of a genetics journal. It’s a big deal.” However, one famed geneticist, Harvard University’s George Church, …

Gene-edited baby claim sparks outrage
6 years, 3 months ago

Gene-edited baby claim sparks outrage

The Hindu  

More than 100 scientists, most of them in China, have condemned as “crazy” and unethical a geneticist's claim that he altered the genes of twin girls born this month to create the first gene-edited babies. China's National Health Commission said on Monday it was ”highly concerned” and had ordered provincial health officials “to immediately investigate and clarify the matter”. The …

Chinese academic claims to have gene-edited twins
6 years, 3 months ago

Chinese academic claims to have gene-edited twins

The Hindu  

Chinese health and medical ethics authorities started an investigation on Monday into claims by a scientist who released videos on YouTube, saying he had altered the genes of twins born earlier this month, creating the first gene edited babies. The editing process, which he calls gene surgery, “worked safely as intended” and the girls are “as healthy as any other …

China orders an inquiry into the 'world's first gene-edited babies'
6 years, 3 months ago

China orders an inquiry into the 'world's first gene-edited babies'

Daily Mail  

More than 100 scientists, most of them in China, have condemned a geneticist's claim that he altered the genes of twin girls born this month as 'crazy' and unethical. A US scientist said he took part in the work in China, but this kind of gene editing is banned in the United States due to risks that altered DNA will …

China orders probe into first ‘gene-edited babies’
6 years, 3 months ago

China orders probe into first ‘gene-edited babies’

Al Jazeera  

Scientists denounce claims by Chinese geneticist as concerns are raised about its safety and ethics. We still might have a glimmer of hope to close it before it's too late by Scientists say in an open letter The government’s medical ethics committee in Shenzhen said it was investigating the case, as was the Guangdong provincial health commission, according to Southern …

Q&A on scientist’s bombshell claim of gene-edited babies
6 years, 3 months ago

Q&A on scientist’s bombshell claim of gene-edited babies

Associated Press  

Designer babies might be here sooner than anyone reckoned. “This is probably the worst gene you would choose” to test in pregnancy because it doesn’t fix a disease the children were destined to get, said Shoukhrat Mitalipov of the Oregon Health & Science University, who in laboratory-only experiments studies how to repair gene defects in embryos. The researcher said he …

Chinese researcher claims first gene-edited babies
6 years, 3 months ago

Chinese researcher claims first gene-edited babies

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — A Chinese researcher claims that he helped make the world’s first genetically edited babies — twin girls born this month whose DNA he said he altered with a powerful new tool capable of rewriting the very blueprint of life. It’s a big deal.” However, one famed geneticist, Harvard University’s George Church, defended attempting gene editing for HIV, …

Chinese scientist claims world’s first gene-edited babies; hospital casts doubt
6 years, 3 months ago

Chinese scientist claims world’s first gene-edited babies; hospital casts doubt

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — The Chinese government has ordered an “immediate investigation” into the alleged delivery of the world’s first genetically edited babies, as experts worldwide voiced outrage at such use of the technology. But in a statement posted Tuesday morning, China’s National Health Commission said that it had “immediately requested the Guangdong Provincial Health Commission to seriously investigate and …

Q&A: Why geneticists say it’s wrong to edit the DNA of embryos to protect them against HIV
6 years, 3 months ago

Q&A: Why geneticists say it’s wrong to edit the DNA of embryos to protect them against HIV

LA Times  

An embryo receives a small dose of gene-editing proteins and RNA in a sperm injection microscope in a Shenzhen laboratory. Chinese scientist He Jiankui of Shenzhen Harmonicare Women’s and Children’s Hospital revealed that he had edited the DNA in a pair of human embryos, disabling a gene required for HIV infection to take hold. He Jiankui’s claim that he helped …

Editing our genes
6 years, 5 months ago

Editing our genes

The Hindu  

American biochemist Jennifer Doudna, one of the pioneers of the gene editing tool Crispr-Cas9, woke up in a cold sweat after she dreamt of Adolf Hitler. In the book she co-authored, A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution, Doudna recounts the dream, and acknowledges the “truly incredible power” of the technology, “one that could …

Why the Gene Editors of Tomorrow Need to Study Ethics Today
6 years, 6 months ago

Why the Gene Editors of Tomorrow Need to Study Ethics Today

Wired  

Two years after biochemist Jennifer Doudna helped introduce the world to the gene-editing tool known as Crispr, a 14-year-old from New Jersey turned it loose on a petri dish full of lung cancer cells, disrupting their ability to multiply. “In high school, I was all on the Crispr bandwagon,” says Jiwoo Lee, who won top awards at the 2016 Intel …

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