American scientist under investigation over ties to alleged genetic editing...

[barbara]

American scientist under investigation over ties to alleged genetic editing of Chinese twins
MEGHAN KENEALLY
Good Morning AmericaNovember 27, 2018

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Rice University has launched an investigation into one of its professors after reports surfaced that he is connected to alleged genetic editing in China that resulted in the birth of two babies with altered DNA.

They announced the investigation Monday in the wake of reports that Dr. Michael Deem, a professor of biochemical and genetic engineering, was involved in a case in which genetic editing was performed on human embryos to alter a gene in a way to make them resistant to HIV.

The university said that it had "no knowledge of this work" and that to its knowledge, the work was not performed in the U.S., where genetic editing of human embryos is illegal.

"Regardless of where it was conducted, this work as described in press reports, violates scientific conduct guidelines and is inconsistent with ethical norms of the scientific community and Rice University," the university said in a statement. "We have begun a full investigation of Dr. Deem’s involvement in this research."

Deem said he was in China when the participants agreed to genetic editing, and said they understood the risks, according to the Associated Press. Deem added that comparing the gene editing to a vaccine "might be a layman's way of describing it," according to the AP.

Controversy is swirling around the claims of Chinese professor He Jiankui that he successfully altered the DNA of the laboratory embryos of twin girls, specifically altering a gene to prevent HIV infection.

The research has yet to be independently confirmed, nor has it been published in a peer-reviewed journal, which is standard protocol for such medical developments.

He Jiankui’s work is being investigated by his own school, the Southern University of Science and Technology of China in Shenzhen, according to The Associated Press.

Deem did not immediately return ABC News’ request for comment.

 

[barbara]

California Stem Cell Report
NOVEMBER 27, 2018
The California Stem Cell Agency Speaks Out on Raelians and New Types of Human Beings

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The California stem cell agency this morning is asking us all whether we remember the Raelians?
The agency, however, is not offering a $64,000 prize for the answer. No quiz show contest at the Oakland headquarters of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), as the agency is formally known.

Instead the Raelian recollection is the lead-in to a cautionary note about the reports out of China that a researcher, who once worked at Stanford, has genetically altered two babies in embryo. The news has triggered an international flap about the ethics involved along with warnings about gene editing that results in "new kinds of human beings."

Writing on the agency's blog, Kevin McCormack, senior director for CIRM communications, said,
"Remember the Raelians? Probably not. But way back in 2002 the group, some described them as a cult, claimed it had created the world’s first cloned baby. The news made headlines all around the world raising fears we were stepping into uncharted scientific territory. Several weeks later the scientist brought in by the Raelians to verify their claims called it an 'elaborate hoax.'"

McCormack cautioned that ultimately the news out of China could amount to the same sort of thing.

He noted the use of the CRISPR gene editing technique which has made it much easier to dip into the genetic process. McCormack wrote,
"CRISPR has been making headlines all of its own in the last few years as a fast, cheap and efficient way of editing genes. CIRM supports research using CRISPR for problems such as sickle cell disease. The difference being that our research works with adults so any changes in their genes are just for them. Those changes are not passed on to future generations.

"The work making headlines around the world used CRISPR on embryos, meaning a child born from one of those embryos would pass those changes on to future generations. In effect, creating a new kind of human being."

McCormack picked up a sample of reaction around the world, including a comment from Stanford bioethicist Hank Greely on CNBC. Greeley said that that if the report is accurate, the research is "criminally reckless, and I unequivocally condemn the experiment.”

McCormack concluded,
"Our best hope right now is that this is just a repeat of the Raelians. Our worst fear, is that it’s not."

POSTED BY DAVID JENSEN