Academic appeal: "cautiously and aggressively" to carry out reproductive cell gene editing

Multiple international academic institutions 3, issued a joint statement, calling for "cautious and positive" gene editing for reproductive cells, that should continue to advance the basic research, but against the technique for reproductive purposes.

The policy statement was published in the new issue of the American journal of human genetics.

, a day after the Oregon health and science university institutions such as the report says, using a "genetic scissors," said the CRISPR gene editing techniques, their success to repair the human early embryo, a mutation in a gene associated with genetic heart disease.

This is the first time that human embryonic gene editing has been conducted in the United States.

"Currently in pregnancy as the ultimate goal of human reproductive cells gene editing is inappropriate," wrote the latest policy statement, but at the same time stressed that "in the appropriate regulatory and licensing, now there is no reason to ban editor genome study implementation of germ cells in vitro, or prohibit public funds in support of this kind of research."

The policy statement also said, if in the future for reproductive cells of the clinical application of gene editing should satisfy the conditions include: the premise of persuasive medical reasons, ethical is appropriate, process should be transparent and open, and so on.

Sign this policy statement has 11 institutions, including the American society of human genetics, genetics nurses and consultant association, the international association of genetic epidemiology and genetic counselor professional association in Asia.

The American society of human genetics science policy director Derek scholes said in a press statement, although theoretically germ cell gene editing can prevent a child born with genetic disorders, but it also brought the potential application of science, ethics and policy issues, scientists cannot answer all these questions, but needs the whole society to participate in the discussion.

British guy and st. Thomas NHS foundation clinical genetics professor Frances flint said, the policy statement "timely and very balance", germ cell gene editing there are too many uncertainties and potentially serious risks, in any form, now in human pregnancy for the purpose of germ cell gene editing are highly responsible, but further studies are in strict regulatory environment, is likely to bring more information for the potential clinical application.

In recent years, with the promotion of CRISPR technology, there has been a boom in gene editing research worldwide.

In 2015, huang jun of China's sun yat-sen university made the first report on the change of the pathogenic genes in human embryos, causing widespread concern and controversy.

At present, the mainstream view of the scientific community holds that the use of reproductive cell gene editing technology and human pregnancy is an insuperable "red line".

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