Organ authorizes first edition test genes in humans

               

São Paulo – scientists are one step closer to being able to use a controversial genetic editing technique in fighting cancer. The Recombinant DNA Advisory Committeeof the Health Institute of the United States approved this week the CRISPR tool use in a study at the University of Pennsylvania. The resource will be first used for the treatment of human beings.

In the first test, they will remove T cells-white blood cells that help protect the immune system – in 18 patients. Then, they will use CRISPR to edit the genes of the cells and inject them back in.

According to scientists, the new technique facilitates the removal, copying and the Union of selected fragments of DNA. If the tests are positive, patients with melanoma, multiple myeloma and sarcoma will have their tumor cells destroyed.

"Our goal is to develop a new type of immunotherapy using gene editing technology. This will allow the immune system cells that were modified will be more powerful,survive longer, and thereby kill cancer cells more effectively, "the researchers to the Committee on Tuesday, reports the website Stat.

Recently, the use of CRISPR started an ethical debate in the scientific world. Some experts believe that the technique could lead to the creation of genetically modifiedbabies.

"Genetic modification of children has recently been sci-fi stuff," said Pete Shanks, a researcher at the Center for Genetics and society of the United States, in an event about genetic Edition last year, reports the website Science Alert. "Now, with the new technology, the fantasy can become reality. Once the process begins, there will be no turning back. This is a line we must not cross. "

In April 2015, scientists at the Sun Yat-sen University, in the Chinese city of Guangzhou have succeeded for the first time change the genome of human embryonic cells,from the CRISPR technique.

However, it is worth mentioning that the University of Pennsylvania study focuses on attacking tumor cells in humans and, no, edit embryos genetically.

Regardless of the ethical conflicts, the doctors involved in the study have yet to the admission of the food and Drug Administration of the United States to continue the work. If approved, the research will be funded by the Institute for cancer Immunotherapy Parker.