DAYS OF LOT: Humans prepared to be “genetically modified”…

DAYS OF LOT: Humans prepared to be “genetically modified”…

Humans will be genetically modified for the first time in Europe after regulators have given the go-ahead to trial DNA-splicing therapy.  A destructive blood disorder known as beta thalassaemia, which reduces the production of hemoglobin, could be cured using this therapy. 



Hemoglobin carries the oxygen the body needs to its cells and without sufficient amounts, those with the disease can be left with bone deformities, anemia, slow growth, fatigue and shortness of breath. Scientists at the biotech company Crispr hope that they can alter the body’s code to stop the genetic mutation and restore healthy levels of hemoglobin.   The disease is the first to be treated using this method in Europe and experts have said that the trials hold promise.  READ MORE

DAYS OF NOAH: Japan to lift ban on growing human organs in animals…

A Japanese government-commissioned expert panel has greenlighted controversial scientific experiments to grow human organs inside the bodies of animals as early as this fall. Under the auspices of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, the panel produced a report on research involving the development of human organs in the bodies of pigs and other animals. In the report, the panel concluded it would allow researchers to implant an animal embryo (a fertilized egg)
containing human cells into an animal’s womb and have the animal give birth. One method being considered for growing human organs inside animal bodies involves injecting human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into an animal embryo and then returning the embryo to an animal’s womb to be birthed. The embryos are genetically modified to prevent specific organs from being created. Japan’s current guidelines prohibit transplanting such an embryo into an animal’s womb. The ministry plans to revise them.  READ MORE