China has at least eight CRISPR gene therapy clinical trials to treat various forms of cancer. CRISPR is being tested as a treatment for cancers of the lung, bladder, cervix and prostate.
Clinicaltrials.gov lists all of the clinical trials in the world.
Only one CRISPR cancer study has been approved in the United States, and it’s only just now starting to look for the first patient to treat.
Clinical trials can be approved in China by a single nine-member hospital committee in just two months. One such committee included a lawyer, a bioethicist, nurses, doctors, a journalist, a representative of cancer patients and a representative of the public.
Patients are willing to try new cures. That’s why the ethics committee and the lab are very positive about this.
But the less stringent oversight makes doctors and bioethicists worry that some Chinese doctors may be rushing ahead too quickly, possibly putting patients at risk.
China has made this a very high priority — a national priority to develop CRISPR cancer treatment.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.