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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019
Penn profs call for ban on controversial gene editing research Penn profs. co-sign a letter for genetic manipulation JASON YAN Staff Reporter
Four professors from the Perelman School of Medicine co-signed an open letter calling for a temporary ban on embryonic genetic manipulation around the world. This follows controversial embryonic research released by Chinese researcher He Jiankui in November 2018, in which he claimed to have made the world’s first gene-edited babies. In the letter, more than 60 gene therapy and genome editing experts expressed their concerns over He’s human embryo editing experiment and urged the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to advocate for a global ban on germline gene editing. The Penn professors said they signed the letter because of the dangers of this research, adding that it is too early to know what the risks are. He’s research involved using CRISPR gene editing technology to disable a gene in twin female embryos so the girls would be resistant to HIV, and it is believed to be the first use of CRISPR resulting in a live human birth. Medicine professor Kiran Musunuru, who cosigned the letter on April 24, said He’s research was “poorly done� in a scientific sense and that germline editing research should not continue until scien-
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While gene editing has to cure3 Funny Anne 37 the “Bypotential all means� in genetic diseases, germline editing is controversial because it modifies the DNA of embryos without their consent and in a way that 18 canMan be passed down 38 to future In dat generations. place 4 Only songwr Mannheim in history to 39 Provider of a 19 Pop nickname“We ought While gene editing has the fects or effects of the edits dur- rently prohibited in the United makers on gene editing techbe vetted in write a four good to picture that was potential to cure genetic dis- ing development of the human States. Musunuru urged the nologies and involve them in themuch more through way by consecutive a 41 Severely title of a 2001 hits (1978) eases, germline editing is con- embryo yet.� United States to serve as an ethical debates. broader burden stockholders,� Wil4x platinum troversial because it modifies Gene Therapy Program di- example for the world, espe“It is important to album include son added. “It is important5 to Schooner fil 45 Order the DNA of embryos without rector and Medicine professor cially for countries that are his- the public and the regulators make sure that from an ethical 6 Goes it alon 20 Comic Brennan 48 Selfie stick, e.g. their consent and in a way that James Wilson, who co-signed torically not as rigorous in their in this discussion and not just perspective that we as a society 7 N.L. East cit 21 Cafeteria loads 49 Journalist can be passed down to future the letter, added that one of oversight of research. While he a discussion among scientists,� are willing to cross that line.� Logan 8 Speakeasy generations. Somatic cell edit- the biggest concerns for human 23 Combination in investigator, the card game 50 Dramatic ing, however, involves changes germline editing is its ability informally bezique musical effects to mature tissues that are not to pass on to the future genera9 Fill passed down to offspring. tions. 26 A ton 53 Barre hops? Cardiovascular Medicine “As a physician, who is inter10 Third-stringe ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE professor and Penn Institute for ested in treating genetic diseas 11 Things docto es, I don’t really see the need need to take I C A N A B E S D A W G S for germline genome editing N O N O S E R E O C H O A 12 ___ de veau because we can also treat the F R O M W H E R E I S T A N D (veal dish) newborns with gene therapy,� I R I S H F O P S S T E T 13 PC file suffix A lot of people are concerned Wilson added. D I N G O C R E E P A B A that down the road, people E D T A D A D E C I M A L 15 Pickle flavor Wilson also expressed con L A S S E K E B S I D E 19 Golden time will be asking for more trivial cerns that “the irresponsible P O W E R L E S S uses� of germline editing tech22 In a sly way changes to their offspring that S H A F T A I L O P R Y nology would “diminish the aren’t related to diseases, and P E R S I S T Z I P R A E 24 Gershwin tit enthusiasm and support of gegirl O R R S K O A L I P O D S creating the ‘designer babies, nome editing of somatic cells 25 Baseball’s N O I R Y A L E P U P I L to treat patients with lethal and Dean, to fan G I V E M E S O M E S P A C E - Edward Morriset disabling diseases.� E N A C T T H O R A N A T 27 Bungling Morrisey brought up the ad D E L T A S A N S E E L S 28 Leashed ditional concern that people tists are confident it is safe. Regenerative Medicine Direc- could use human germline edit“[He’s experiment] resulted tor Edward Morrisey said He’s ing to create cosmetic changes in the embryo being flawed research was done without “the in offspring that aren’t mediwith patch work of different normal safeguards and approv- cally necessary. said it is not the role of the Uni- he added. edits rather than the intended als.� In January, a Chinese gov“A lot of people are con- versity at large to weigh in, he Morrisey said while some specific edits,� said Musunuru, ernment investigation found He cerned that down the road, peo- added that “individuals of the might think a total moratorium who also directs the Genetic “seriously violated� state laws ple will be asking for more triv- Penn community should be in- on germline editing would slow and Epigenetic Origins of Dis- by fabricating an ethical review ial changes to their offspring volved in discussion and advo- down the scientific advanceease Program in the School of and avoiding proper supervi- that aren’t related to diseases, cate for delay or moratorium� ment of genome editing techMedicine’s Cardiovascular In- sion. and creating the ‘designer ba- at forums and conferences. nology, “the expediency of stitute. “This has potential un“It is just too early,� Mor- bies,’� Morrisey said. Musunuru added that he science should not overrule the known safety consequences for risey added. “We don’t know Clinical trials involving hu- signed the letter because it is ethical imperative in research the twins that were born.� enough about the off-target ef- man germline editing are cur- important to educate policy and medicine.� 27
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