Yesterday a British researcher was given the green light to change the DNA of human embryos. What does it mean? And is that desirable?
Some time ago early researcher Kathy Niakan to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority permission to change the DNA of human embryos. And authorized them got now. She can now human embryos subjected to a technique that we gene-editing ‘call. This DNA is modified, deleted or added.
Research Only
The embryos that Niakan going to work, are donated by couples who are (were) involved in IVF. Niakan may only ready to study the embryos. The embryos may therefore not be replaced during fertility treatments.
A seven week-old embryo. Picture: Andrzej Zachwieja / Jan Walczewski (via Wikimedia Commons)
Research
Niakan with her studies a clear goal.. She wants to get a better understanding of the development taking place in the seven days after an egg is fertilized. In that period, grows from a single cell to approximately 250 cells. By gaining a better understanding of how (healthy) human embryos develop, Niakan hopes among other things to increase the chances of success during IVF treatment.
Designer babies
Niakan work and the fact that this has now been approved by the British government, is under discussion. Opponents fear that this is a first step towards “designer babies.” These are babies whose DNA at an early stage of their development is adjusted so that they fully meet the wishes of their parents.
Monitoring However
There are also people which delighted that the work of Niakan now overseen by the British Fertilisation and Embryology Authority takes place. This body will ensure that the tests take place in a safe and responsible manner. And that is reassuring, as found especially many researchers.
China
Britain is the first country to officially authorizes modifying human DNA embryos. But it is not the first country where this research will actually take place. In China last year for the first time DNA from human embryos adjusted. That country has guidelines, but they are not so strict and clear. And it is precisely this research – which (ethical) is so sensitive – would yet actually to strict rules and supervision shall be subject. And that is from yesterday, so the premise of the British government. “We would have to have confidence that our regulatory system in this area is functioning well enough to keep the science in line with the interests of society,” says Dr. Sarah Chan, affiliated with the University of Edinburgh and is not involved in the research of Niakan.
“It is clear that the possible benefits of the proposed research outweigh the anticipated risks”
Implications
Simultaneously it is also important to keep the implications of this research controversial in the eye. The methods may not be equally acceptable for everyone, but the applications that can have this study, do not have to be undesirable. “The knowledge can have practical benefits and increase the success rate of IVF by both the chance of pregnancy if the chances of pregnancy persists, increase and in ways that do not depend on genome editing “says Robin Lovell-Badge, attached to the Francis Crick Institute where experiments Niakan will take place. “It is clear that the possible benefits of the proposed research outweigh the anticipated risks,” says Professor Darren Griffin, affiliated with the University of Kent, in a comment. “Now genome editing was invented, it will not go away,” says Professor Daniel Brison, affiliated with the University of Manchester. “And the technology is elsewhere in the world already unleashed on human embryos. Now the investigation can be initiated under the supervision of an internationally respected authority, the HFEA, which ensures that the research takes place safely and responsibly. “
What do you think? Weigh the potential implications of the research against the (ethical) objections? Let us know below!
No comments:
Post a Comment