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 …
Parenting of the future: Many embryos, each with DNA profile
NEW YORK (AP) — So you want to have a baby.
Would you like
How the immune system could stymie some CRISPR gene therapies
Nature NEWS EXPLAINER 08 JANUARY 2018
Researchers hoping to use a gene-editing technique to treat diseases may have to seek alternative enzymes.
The body’s own immune system could thwart some efforts to develop gene therapies based on the trendy genome-editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9, according to a study released on 5th January.
Hopes are high that CRISPR–Cas9 could one day be used in people to correct mutations that cause disease. But the new study, which was …
NCER Open Letter to FDA Committee Regarding Gene Editing
Attn: Michael Berrios
The Committee on Ethical and Social Policy Considerations of Novel Techniques for Prevention of Maternal Transmission of Mitochondrial DNA Diseases
Dear Committee Members:
There are at least five reasons why the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research recommends that the FDA deny licensure for the use of mitochondrial techniques in U.S. fertility clinics or research laboratories.
- The pronuclear transfer technique of mitochondrial replacement (MR) involves the
NCER states position on use of CRISPR/Cas-9
Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research encourages the continued use of CRISPR/Cas-9 in animal research and in adult human cell cultures as a means toward it’s eventual safe and efficacious use for the correction of disease genes in adult human beings.
NCER agrees with the calls for a self-imposed moratorium and an international meeting on the use of CRISPR/Cas-9 for germline genetic engineering on human embryos or human germ cells.
However, regardless of the outcome of …
Jun
A guide to CRISPR, the human gene-editing tool that has scientists excited — and terrified
We are now one step closer to designer babies. Using a technique called CRISPR, geneticists in China recently modified the DNA of nonviable human embryos and published the results in the journal Protein & Cell.
Editing the genetic material of human embryos was a first — and the April 18 publication of the results set off a cascade of awe and controversy.
“While these embryos will not be growing up into genetically modified people,” …
NHS to give volunteers ‘synthetic blood’ made in laboratory within two years
as seen in THE INDEPENDENT
- SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2015
The first attempt at giving human volunteers “synthetic blood” made in a laboratory for the first time will take place within the next two years, the NHS has announced.
…
Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research recommends that the FDA deny licensure for the use of mitochondrial techniques in U.S. fertility clinics or research laboratories
At the end of last month the Board of Directors sent the following letter to the FDA with our position on the use of multi-parent embryos.
27 March 2015
Attn: Michael Berrios
The Committee on Ethical and Social Policy Considerations of Novel Techniques for Prevention of Maternal Transmission of Mitochondrial DNA Diseases
Keck Center
500 Fifth St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
Dear Committee Members:
There are at least five reasons why the Board of Directors …
Apr
Drugs that activate brain stem cells may reverse multiple sclerosis
For Immediate Release: Monday, April 20, 2015
NIH-funded study identifies over-the-counter compounds that may replace damaged cells
Two drugs already on the market — an antifungal and a steroid — may potentially take on new roles as treatments for multiple sclerosis. According to a study published in Nature today, researchers discovered that these drugs may activate stem cells in the brain to stimulate myelin producing cells and repair white matter, which is damaged in multiple …
Scientists want to halt gene editing in humans
A breakthrough gene-editing process developed in 2012 could potentially be used to eradicate genetic diseases in humans—or make a person more intelligent or attractive. The Crispr-Cas9 or “DNA scissors” technique involves making DNA-altering changes to sperm, eggs, or embryos that could then be inherited by future generations.
For example, negative mutations could be replaced with “corrected” DNA strings, Bloomberg reports. The technique is relatively easy for anyone who knows about molecular biology, and it’s already …