CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system has made pluripotent stem cells that are functionally “invisible” to the immune system which will prevent rejection of stem cell transplants. Universal stem cells can be produced that will work for everyone and there will not be the need for personalized stem cells. This will bring mass production of stem cells for …
George Church describes going beyond cutting DNA to precise editing. 1. Phage Integrases (Protein and DNA) 2. TAL Deaminases (custom Protein) 3. Chemical Targeting (custom polymer) 4. lambda (λ)-red recombinase (Custom DNA) Beyond editing to writing large genomes DNA-based target recognition For DNA-based target recognition systems, the two major approaches, multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE) …
Kheiron Biotech using clones thoroughbred horses and announced in 2017 that they would use CRISPR gene editing to create super horses. They plan to perform myostatin inhibition to boost the muscles in horses. They will develop horses with more muscle mass, which could run faster for longer distances and jump higher. At the end of …
Robin Lovell-Badge, Ph.D., a geneticist at The Francis Crick Institute, said Chinese scientist He Jiankui contacted him to deny there was a death penalty risk for his editing of human embryos. Lovell-Badge had speculated on January 7 that He could receive the death penalty for bribery and corruption because he disregarded official government oversight of …
Scientist He Jiankui shocked the world when he announced he had altered embryos for seven couples during fertility treatment to protect them against contracting HIV, leading to the birth of two twin girls with engineered DNA. He Jiankui may be charged with bribery and corruption – crimes which are punishable by death in China. He …
There is about 70% support among Americans to use human gene editing to cure or correct diseases. The support among people in China for using human gene editing to cure disease was similar in a recent poll. The US support has increased about ten percent from a 2016 Pew Research poll. The Chinese poll of …
Some gene edited animals have been unintentionally deformed. There are gene edited rabbits with enlarged tongues and pig’s with extra vertebrae. Rapid progress in gene editing is being made but there is still a lot to learn. We know enough now to be really dangerous. 20-30 yrs from now this will all be trivial and …
The oldest giant tortoises are revealing their genetic secrets for living up to 250 years. They are animals that are in the range of human size. Female giant tortoises are about 250 pounds and male giant tortoises are about 500 pounds. There are other super long-lived creatures like whales and sharks. However, those larger creatures …
The chinese geneticist who has gene edited twin baby girls is reportedly missing. He Jianku caused a controversy for being the first case that we publicly know of for the genetic modification of the human germline. The Shenzhen University where he worked has denied detaining him. Reports claimed he was being kept under effective house …
I have covered the technical aspects of the gene editing of the human twin babies, but I have not had a focused look at only the ethics, compassion and noble intentions involved in this situation. I He primary motivatation for doing the work was compassion belief that he was improving the health and lives of …
During his presentation of the CRISPR gene editing of human embryos, the Chinese scientist said there is another woman currently pregnant with a gene edited embryo. He Jiankui is an associate professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen. He did not break any international regulations but CRISPR editing of human embryos …