Gene-editing tests the boundaries of science (and ethics)

The event was surreal. A Chinese researcher announced on YouTube that he had successfully modified the genes of Lulu and Nana, healthy newborn twins. According to a Scientific American report, He Jiankui, a professor at Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, claims that he used CRISPR-Case 9 gene editing to prevent the spread of HIV. The twins' father is HIV-positive. If true, this would be first instance of gene-edited babies, shining a bright light on what is possible. It would also highlight investment opportunities. Scientists have been excited about CRISPR since 1987, when a team of Japanese researchers accidentally cloned clusters of cells at Osaka University. They discovered that bacteria used special enzymes to cut, copy and store bits of viral DNA for future reference. This was a revelation that seemed to ...To read the rest of Jon Markman’s article, click here...