Disabling genes will help solve the problem of miscarriages
British scientists asked to be allowed to change genes in human embryos
British scientists have submitted an application to the government for the genetic modification of human embryos, reports The Guardian (UK scientists seek permission to genetically modify human embryos). This happened just a few months after the scientific world learned about similar experiments in China, which caused violent protests.
The experiments are going to be conducted at the Francis Crick Institute in London. They will last about two weeks, and the embryos cannot be brought to the fetal state. Eggs and spermatozoa for experiments will be donated by couples who have formed a surplus after they have undergone the procedure of in vitro fertilization.
The ultimate goal of scientists is to solve the problem of miscarriages. By modifying human embryos, they want to identify the genes that are most active in the first days of fetal life, when the embryo forms the cells that form the basis of the future placenta. The genes will be switched on and off using the Crispr-Cas9 tool.
"The knowledge gained will give us extremely important information about the development of healthy human embryos, and will also help us to understand the causes of miscarriages. Our experiments are not a dangerous path to "designer babies" (when parents use genetic engineering to set or change the features of their future children – approx. "Tapes.<url>"), as the UK legislation in these matters is very harsh," said the author of the application Kathy Niakan (Kathy Niakan).
It is expected that the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will issue a license – with the condition that experimental embryos are destroyed after 14 days.
According to the academic community (far from unanimous – VM), it is dangerous to edit the genes of embryos, since they transmit the altered DNA to the next generations and the consequences of "editing", invisible at first glance, can cause damage in the future. In addition, an effective gene modification system can fall into the hands of those who use it for deliberately inhumane purposes.
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21.09.2015