Ever since the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique was developed, controversy has surrounded it due to its potential to modify the human genome. Now, scientists from China's Guangzhou Medical University have genetically modified a human embryo using the technique, although they claim that it was carried out on embryos that possessed an extra set of chromosomes and thus were not viable.
Genetic modification of human embryos is a controversial subject, although most medical researchers believe that eventually the practice will become very common. Regardless, little is known about the consequences of this procedure, causing most scientists to hold off on conducting such research until knowledge on the subject is more developed.
China has been somewhat different in this respect, and it was just one year ago that another team of researchers from the country conducted an experiment that involved the genetic modification of human embryo genes.
The current team used 213 fertilized eggs from a fertility clinic that were classified as unsuitable for in vitro therapy due to an extra set of chromosomes. Each egg was permitted by the women who donated them to be used under the condition that the embryos would not develop into a human being.
Using the CRISPR technique, the team added a mutation that damaged the immune cell gene CCR5 - a cell type known to promote HIV resistance when damaged - in an attempt to better understand the potential of genetic modification for inducing HIV resistance in babies.
The team was only able to successfully genetically modify four out of 26 of the embryos, with some experiencing unexpected mutations and others still containing untouched genes.
The results are unclear in terms of the potential of using genetic modification for HIV resistance. However, the study does reveal the willingness of China to participate in research that is frowned upon by international scientists.
Despite the backlash that will likely come, the team insists that the research is paving the way for future CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing efforts and emphasizes that it had no intention of allowing the human embryos to mature.
The findings were published in the April 6 issue of the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics.
