More and more scientists are now calling for a moratorium – a temporary stop – research aimed at altering the human genome artificially. Recently, the National Institute of Health in the United States that it does not intend to support similar research. According to its director, Francis Collins, the research in this case passed a limit to what is ethically acceptable.
– There is no doubt that this technology can be used to prevent or cure serious diseases. But it can also be used to improve people and it is a serious problem, because we risk getting into racial improvement through the back door, says Nils-Eric Sahlin, Professor of Medical Ethics at Lund University, said.
It was two weeks ago as a researcher at the Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou announced that – for the first time ever – had manipulated human embryos genetically. The aim was to transform a gene that causes blood disorder beta thalassemia, that require repeated blood transfusions.
The experiment was done on embryos that would not develop into adult individuals, but the reaction from the scientific community was still strong. Whether the Science or Nature wanted to publish the news, which instead was made of the open online magazine Protein & amp; Cell.
Nils-Eric Sahlin do not believe that research can be stopped.
– I am absolutely convinced that the Chinese will move forward with this. They have different standards than we are. For example, they use today stem cell therapies that no other use for ethical reasons.
HH: But if you can help sick so well that good?
– Yes but knowledge uncertainty is gigantic. We have no idea how this affects the individuals, either the short or the long term. But unfortunately, I believe that this technology will be used throughout the world, even in nations that do not do it to help. Which makes it less good purpose. There, I am completely convinced.
HH: Like what?
– To make us bigger, more beautiful, or so we run faster. One can imagine all sorts of things.
Facts: Technology from Umeå
In the current study, researchers used a genklippningsteknik called crispr / Cas9, a technology partially developed at Umeå University. The aim was to transform a gene that causes blood disorder beta thalassemia. The research was carried out on embryos could develop into human beings. In retrospect, one saw that one also had inflicted embryos other genetic changes, mutations, than was intended from the beginning.
In Sweden there is no general ban on similar research. Each case requires separate examination by an ethics research committee. However, it is not permitted under the law on genetic integrity, altering the genome artificially for therapeutic purposes.
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