Genetic Editing: A Groundbreaking yet Controversial Experiment

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What is the primary aim of the genetic editing experiment in China, and what is the concern about the experiment's necessity?

The primary aim is to create children who are immune to HIV, but the concern is that there are already effective ways to prevent HIV in healthy individuals, making the experiment unnecessary.

How does HIV enter and infect cells, and what did the team in China try to do to prevent this?

HIV enters and infects cells by binding to a protein on the surface called CCR5. The team in China tried to disable the gene for CCR5 using the CRISPR gene editing technique.

What is the criticism about the experiment's potential effects on the edited genes, and what do we not yet know about the full effects of the gene editing?

The criticism is that we don't yet know if it is safe to delete both copies of the CCR5 gene in every cell of the body. We don't know what the full effects of the gene editing will be.

How many pairs of men and women took part in the experiment, and what is the concern about the experiment's ethical implications?

Seven pairs of men and women took part in the experiment. The concern is that the experiment is widely regarded as unethical, even by those who support the use of gene editing in eggs, sperm, or embryos to prevent diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concern about the experiment's potential risks to the children, and what do experts say about the necessity of this experiment?

The concern is that the experiment exposes healthy normal children to risks of gene editing for no real necessary benefit. Experts say that there is no pressing need for this experiment, and it is totally inappropriate. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the experiment involving HIV-positive men and their partners, and what was the incentive offered to the couples?

The primary goal was to develop an 'AIDS vaccine' and the couples were offered free IVF treatment in exchange for participating. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the CRISPR gene editing process in the embryos, and what was the concern regarding the second twin?

16 embryos had successfully been edited, but the embryo for the second twin only had one copy of CCR5 disabled, making it still vulnerable to HIV. Signup and view all the answers

Why do most biologists think it is too early to use CRISPR gene editing for human embryos, and what are the risks associated with this process?

Most biologists think it's too early because it's unclear if it's safe, and the risks include mosaic embryos and unintended mutations in other genes. Signup and view all the answers

In what circumstances might the use of CRISPR gene editing in embryos be considered justifiable, and what are the alternatives to gene editing?

It might be justifiable for embryos with lethal genetic mutations, and the alternative is to screen IVF embryos before implanting them to prevent inherited diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concern about the implantation of the embryo with only one copy of CCR5 disabled, and what does it reveal about the ethics of gene editing?

The concern is that the individual will still be vulnerable to HIV, and it raises questions about the ethics of gene editing and its potential risks and consequences. Signup and view all the answers

Genetic Editing: A Groundbreaking yet Controversial Experiment

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary aim of the genetic editing experiment in China, and what is the concern about the experiment's necessity?

How does HIV enter and infect cells, and what did the team in China try to do to prevent this?

What is the criticism about the experiment's potential effects on the edited genes, and what do we not yet know about the full effects of the gene editing?

How many pairs of men and women took part in the experiment, and what is the concern about the experiment's ethical implications?

What is the concern about the experiment's potential risks to the children, and what do experts say about the necessity of this experiment?

What was the primary goal of the experiment involving HIV-positive men and their partners, and what was the incentive offered to the couples?

What was the outcome of the CRISPR gene editing process in the embryos, and what was the concern regarding the second twin?

Why do most biologists think it is too early to use CRISPR gene editing for human embryos, and what are the risks associated with this process?

In what circumstances might the use of CRISPR gene editing in embryos be considered justifiable, and what are the alternatives to gene editing?

What is the concern about the implantation of the embryo with only one copy of CCR5 disabled, and what does it reveal about the ethics of gene editing?

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