In China, scientists for the first time in history managed to change the DNA of the embryo
A sensational statement was made by the Chinese scientist He Jiankui, who said that he had taken part in the first and human history experiment on changing the embryo's DNA. If the statement of a specialist from China is true, then it will be a major breakthrough in science and medical ethics.
The scientist, in particular, said that he and a group of his colleagues were able to change the genetic information of seven married couples who were in the clinic for reproductive treatment. So far, only one woman has given birth to children with a modified set of DNA - twin girls were born in November.
About the achievement of Chinese scientists today tells the Associated Press.
It is noteworthy that the corrections in the DTC of embryos were made quite specific: Scientists want born children to have an amazing ability for humanity - to be immune to HIV viruses and did not suffer from AIDS, even if contact with the causative agent of the fatal disease occurs.
All fathers in seven pairs were infected with HIV, and mothers were healthy. It is clear that antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy can help protect a child from HIV infection in the womb, but the task was more global - to ensure that the child does not become infected with this dangerous virus.
According to He Jiankuya, at first a series of experiments was conducted on laboratory mice, on monkey embryos, and this work took several years, but brought results - a mouse and a monkey with altered DNA turned out to be immune to HIV.
The world scientific community has not yet commented on the work of Chinese geneticists, since the results of the sensational work have not yet been published in official scientific journals and have not been verified by other scientists from different countries.
Earlier, scientists from Pennsylvania, who managed to “fix” the defective DNA of the embryo in the womb, shared their experiences with the world.
They were able to make adjustments to the DNA of the baby mouse, learning about a dangerous mutation. If they could not do this, the mouse would have died in the first days of life from the spontaneous destruction of liver cells (hepatocytes).
If the information coming from the Middle Kingdom is confirmed, it will give hope to mankind. to fully overcome HIV infection. Due to the efforts of molecular biologists and geneticists, whole generations of people on Earth will be born who will be immune to the human immunodeficiency virus, which for 50-70 years will lead to the complete disappearance of this disease.
