Harvard and the Brigham call for more than 30 retractions of cardiac stem cell research
You can rely on NCER to report life-giving ethical research successes, and to expose unethical, even fraudulent practices. Stem cell research has been replete with fraud, such as the Harvard Stem Cell Scandal, in which 3 researchers made claims that were unsubstantiated, resulting in thirty papers being retracted. Even more egregious is the common practice of deceitfully labeling aborted fetal tissue as “adult stem cells”.
As seen in STAT
By IVAN ORANSKY and ADAM MARCUS…
Same-sex mouse parents give birth via gene editing
CRISPR cures inherited disorder in mice, paving way for genetic therapy before birth
CRISPR cures inherited disorder in mice
On a very positive ethical note, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have utilized CRISPR to cure mice of a fatal liver disease while in utero! This “proof of concept” trial will pave the way to potentially curing genetic diseases in humans while the fetus is still in the mothers womb. Using a newer form of CRISPR which doesn’t need to cut out damaged DNA to replace it, CRISPR …
The Next Phase of Human Gene-Therapy Oversight
from NCER:In the US, over 700 investigational trials are ongoing in the gene therapy field, and with the rapid adoption of CRISPR gene editing technology, the NEJM admits that gene therapy will soon be a “mainstay of treatment for many diseases”. In an attempt to remove any obstacles to fast tracking this research, both the FDA and the NIH have just significantly reduced their oversight. They assert that the risks are not unique nor unpredictable …
Gene-editing technique cures genetic disorder in utero
from NCER: On a positive note, in July, Carnegie Mellon University successfully used gene editing to cure disease in mice while in the uterus, with no risk of negative effects. Over 8 M children are born yearly with birth defects, so the implications of this breakthrough are enormous, introducing the possibility of curing them while in the womb!
Study in mice shows promise for treating genetic conditions during early stages of development
Date: July 9, …
WITH EMBRYO BASE EDITING, CHINA GETS ANOTHER CRISPR FIRST
from NCER: In a breakthrough first, Chinese scientists have just boldly used CRISPR to edit diseased genes in viable human embryos created through IVF. Because international ethical guidelines for research are not followed in China, they are comfortable with editing IVF embryos so as to affect future generations, referred to as germline gene editing. Any changes, whether beneficial or harmful, would be inherited by future generations, and therefore would not only violate the rights of …
Alberta woman 1st adult in Canada to be ‘cured’ of sickle cell anemia through stem cell transplant
A stem cell first for Canada! An Alberta woman is the first adult in Canada to be cured of sickle cell anemia with the help of a stem cell transplant from her sister. This is a great example of the Ethical use of stem cells !
· CBC News ·
Revée Agyepong of Edmonton underwent the procedure at Calgary cancer centre with donor cells from sister
An Alberta woman …
Japan to lift ban on growing human organs in animals
Japan has decided to join the US and UK in allowing researchers to implant an animal embryo (a fertilized egg) containing human cells into an animal’s womb and have the animal give birth. The constructive possibilities include growing human organs in animals for transplantation into humans. But they assure us that they will not allow the creation of horrific creatures that “blur the line between humans and other animals”, crossbreeding of created animals or fertilization …
U.S. doctors plan to treat cancer patients using CRISPR
MIT Technology Review by Emily Mullin January 17, 2018
Gene-edited immune cells could help wipe out deadly tumors.
The first human test in the U.S. involving the gene-editing tool CRISPR could begin at any time and will employ the DNA cutting technique in a bid to battle deadly cancers.
Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania say they will use CRISPR to modify human immune cells so that they become expert cancer killers, according to plans …