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DNA and Baby

Scientist's decision to go ahead with genetically engineering human embryos in a way that can be inherited is “consequential for all of us – for all of humanity” Marcy Darnovsky, Center for Genetics and Society

The paper featured in the press statements below was published in Nature and is available here.

1. Study on gene-edited embryos aims for human reproduction
2. Stop genetically engineering human embryos

1. Study on gene-edited embryos aims for human reproduction

Center for Genetics and Society, 2 Aug 2017
https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/press-statement/study-gene-edited-embryos-aims-human-reproduction

A paper published today in Nature reported on work led by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) researcher Shoukhrat Mitalipov to genetically edit human embryos, apparently with the goal of using this technique for reproductive purposes.

“This is a pivotal point in the push toward genetically modified humans,” said Marcy Darnovsky, PhD, Executive Director of the Center for Genetics and Society. “A small group of scientists and closed committees have taken it upon themselves to move forward with reproductive germline modification technologies, scorning repeated calls by scientists, scholars, regulatory bodies, and civil society organizations around the world to keep this use of genetic engineering off limits. Mitalipov and his collaborators were clearly aware of the widespread calls for democratic deliberation and public engagement on this matter, but flagrantly disregarded them.”

Notably, Mitalipov and colleagues clearly indicate that their research is aimed at gene editing for human reproduction. The justification they offer is to “rescue mutant embryos, increase the number of embryos available for transfer and ultimately improve pregnancy rates.”

“There is no pretense to basic scientific discovery here. The goal is clearly to develop applications that could be marketed in fertility clinics,” said Darnovsky.

“This decision is consequential for all of us – for all of humanity,” Darnovsky said. “Dozens of countries have deliberated about it, and passed laws prohibiting germline alterations. We have not yet engaged in processes that would promote the `broad societal consensus’ about human germline modification that the National Academies of Sciences and other prominent advocates of gene editing have recommended. Until that is achieved, we call on scientists around the world to refrain from research aimed at refining gene editing for use in human reproduction.”

The gene variant targeted in the Mitalipov study increases the risk of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Most individuals with HCM have few symptoms and average life expectancy. “The reproductive gene editing envisioned in the Mitalipov study flouts even the weak restrictions recommended in the National Academies report,” Darnovsky said.

As with almost all other inherited diseases, carriers can avoid the transmission of HCM using existing embryo screening techniques. “The claim that germline editing is needed to prevent the transmission of serious inherited disease is deeply deceptive,” said Darnovsky. “It both ignores existing alternatives that don’t require manipulating genes, and demonstrates the impossibility of distinguishing between serious and less serious disease, or between disease and enhancement."

“Allowing any form of human germline modification leaves the way open for all kinds – especially when fertility clinics start offering ‘genetic upgrades’ to those able to afford them,” she continued. “Once those commercial dynamics kick in, we could all too easily find ourselves in a world where some people’s children are considered biologically superior to the rest of us. We need to ask ourselves whether we want that new kind of excuse for extreme social disparities we already tolerate.”

2. Stop genetically engineering human embryos

Jaydee Hanson
International Center for Technology Assessment, August 2, 2017

A paper published today in Nature reported on work led by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) researcher Shoukhrat Mitalipov to genetically edit human embryos. Mitalipov previously performed the first cloning of human embryos. This combination of human embryo cloning and human genetic engineering at one lab means that we have a laboratory in the US with the capability of engineering the human germline and starting a new eugenics enterprise.

Most other scientists, ethicists and theologians have called for prohibiting the genetic engineering of human embryos to prevent the passing down to future generations of genetically engineered traits.

The US Congress has prohibited the Food and Drug Administration from approving such genetic engineering as a medical practice, but Professor Mitalipov has decided to ignore the advice of ethicists and regulatory bodies that this work should not be done. Mitalipov makes clear that his work is intended to be used to produce genetically engineered embryos that would be used in human reproduction to “improve pregnancy rates.” His intent is to market this technology to fertility clinics, which in the United States are largely unregulated by the federal government.

Allowing any form of human germline modification leaves the way open for all kinds of genetic engineering in fertility labs. Studies in mice and insects have shown that these genetic engineering techniques can cause multiple unintended mutations in the organism being edited. We should never allow these techniques to be used to edit humans and pass down intended and unintended genetic changes to the next generation.

The flagrant rejection of the consensus of scholars, governments around the world and religious leaders by the Oregon Health and Science University means that we must now develop federal and international laws that prohibit the genetic engineering of humans and which takes away any federal funding from institutions that perform such procedures. Until those laws are enacted, we call on scientists around the world to refrain from research aimed at refining gene editing for use in human reproduction. We call on the Trump Administration to stop funding of any research center that uses genetic engineering to “edit” human embryos. OHSU received $234 million from the National Institutes of Health in 2016 alone. This funding should be stopped until OHSU stops funding human genetic engineering.