It finally happened. The CRISPR babies born in China were the first gene-edited babies ever! Or that’s the claim at least.
He Jiankui, a scientist from the Southern University of Science and Technology of China in Shenzhen, claims to have disabled a gene important for HIV infections. He edited embryos using CRISPR, which he then used for in vitro fertilization. Don’t believe me? Here’s a clip of him promoting the whole thing…
The result (allegedly): twin girls (Lulu and Nana) with a CRISPR mutated gene.
By the way, no validations were done, no peer-reviewing, and no data. So, only claims.
The CRISPR-edited gene
The edited gene codes for CCR5, a protein on the surface of white blood cells that HIV can bind and use as an entry point. After entering (infecting) the white blood cell, the virus multiplies its genetic material, producing more virus and blasting out to infect more cells.
Here’s how He edited the proteins essential for HIV entry:
First, he introduces the CRISPR protein Cas9 and a so-called guide RNA that recognizes the CCR5 gene in the embryo. The combined Cas9/guide-RNA complex then binds the CCR5 gene, and Cas9 cuts it into two pieces.
From this point, different options are possible. But the simplest one is the cell’s DNA repair system tries to fix the cut by gluing the two ends. After several cuts and repairs, the repair machinery may make a mistake, causing a mutation and a disabled gene expression.
[This is a compressed explanation. If you want to know more, check here]
In other words, CRISPR causes a corrupt CCR5 gene, which results in no CCR5 protein and, subsequently, the HIV’s inability to enter the cell.
Now, there are at least two reactions to this news:
- Realizing we can make cells resistant to viruses and avoid nasty virus diseases.
or - Getting the chills and realizing that the experiment was most probably premature. What are the long-term consequences, Mr. He?
For now, I think the second reaction is the most popular one, at least in the scientific community.
The problems with creating CRISPR-edited babies
Image of two babies, created by Dawn Hudson License: CC0 Public DomainAs I explained in a previous post, off-target effects are still a risk of off-target effects, which may bring severe side effects.
Also, premature use of CRISPR – without caution – affects not only the twins’ family, the institute, or the country in question; it affects us all. Pandora’s box is now open (to dramatize things). But I’ll come back to it in a later post.
Ultimately, it’s a procedure that affects not only the gene-edited babies but the following generations. Before we go buck wild, editing genes left and right, we need to know it’s safe.
This wasn’t any gene but a (potential) disease-causing one. But according to genome-editing scientist Dr. Fyodor Urnov, “safe and effective ways” already exist to protect from HIV, and they do not involve embryos. “There is, at present, no unmet medical need that embryo editing addresses,” he said to Nature.
The general opinion about CRISPR babies born in China
Now, I hear you thinking, “Ahh, those Chinese researchers again, always willing to do any experiment just to pioneer in the field. There’s no regulation over there”. It’s a common thought.
But according to the same Nature article linked above, more than 100 Chinese scientists have posted a strongly critical statement online.
Also, the Southern University of Science and Technology said in a statement that they were unaware of the work and that it wasn’t performed at the institute. The word is, He has been on leave since February (nine months…?).
“The Southern University of Science and Technology requires scientific research to abide by national laws and regulations and to respect and comply with international academic ethics and academic standards,” the text said.
I’m not here to defend, accuse, or even stir the pot. I’m just here to inform you about the last day’s commotions. Important stuff that everyone should be aware of. Because as I will try to explain in my next post, we are all affected by these experiments. It’s about the future.
Until next time, don’t go chasing waterfalls
