The experts also held a seminar at the institute to discuss the promises, risks, and ethical concerns of human genome editing in medical practice and research.
Following the recent birth of the genetically edited IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) twins in China, where ethical concerns were ignored, medical experts from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna recently wrote to the Centre asking for statutory laws to regulate 'Human Genome Editing' in the country. The experts also held a seminar at the institute to discuss the promises, risks, and ethical concerns of human genome editing in medical practice and research.
In India, though a guideline issued by the ICMR prevents from any germline/embryonic genome editing, any statutory regulation which can deter its unethical use is still lacking. Genetic enhancement or 'designer babies' has been described as the greatest public allurement for the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technique.
"CRISPR has emerged as a promising gene editing technique which can be used to eliminate many human diseases. The existing form of CRISPR may also introduce new errors in human genome, which may have serious consequences on the individual's health. Rampant use of genome editing may also destabilize genome pool of a human population, in turn, may cause more gene-based diseases like cancers and birth anomalies," wrote Dr Ashutosh Kumar, Assistant professor in Department of Anatomy at AIIMS, Patna, in his letter to the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
These experts unanimously agreed on the statutory regulations to prevent an unethical use of human genome editing. Experts from many medical departments as Microbiology, Biochemistry, OBS & Gynae, Paediatric medicine gave the presentation at the event.
"Human genome editing is a public health concern hence common public should be made aware of the risks and possible legal issues arising of it, they should be made part of any policy decision on this issue," said Dr. Sanjib Kumar Ghosh, the senior faculty and HOD, Anatomy.
"All clinical uses of this technique should be restricted with stringent laws until its safety is established through adequate scientific research," stated the letter.
Designer Babies
Gene editing is a technique through which scientists can alter a person's DNA thus creating 'designer babies'. The unethical edits, once done, will lead to creation of human designs of babies.
Easy & cheaper
- CRISPR-Cas9 technique: It is a unique technology that enables geneticists and medical researchers to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA Sequence).
- The CRISPR mediated human genome editing is relatively easy and cheaper, which makes it vulnerable for unpermitted use.
- IVF applications of CRISPR mediated genome editing has a great allurement to treat many challenging medical diseases, believe doctors
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