China is about to test genetic modification on humans

Chinese scientists will be the first to apply the technique of correcting Crispr genes on humans.

According to Guardian, the trial will take place in August by Lu You, a cancer specialist at the West China Hospital, directly under Sichuan University. The team will test gene editing cells in lung cancer patients.

Crispr is a breakthrough technology that enables scientists to precisely customize the DNA genetic code, by cutting a piece of DNA from human cells and replacing it with another genetic code using one type. Specially programmed enzymes called Cas9 . The application from this technology is endless, from changing the color of mouse hair, to correcting genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia in humans.

To date, the concept of human DNA editing remains controversial. In the UK, human genetic modification is strictly prohibited. Researchers around the world say that modifying DNA on humans will cause serious moral and safety harms.

Immune cells in the patient's blood will be inserted with new genetic code to enhance the ability to destroy cancer cells.(Photo: Science Library).

In April, a team of researchers at Guangzhou Medical University successfully tested the use of Crispr technology to create an antiviral human embryo, continuing to raise controversy.

However, the forthcoming experiment in August of Sichuan University does not interfere with DNA genetic code, so it does not affect the next generation inheriting parents' genes.

They will proceed on non-small cell lung cancer patients. Lung cancer is divided into two types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. In particular, non-small cell lung cancer is more common and 80% of these cases cannot be cured. In addition, Chinese doctors also tested on chemotherapy patients who were not successful.

They will extract immune cells from the patient's blood, using Crispr to insert a new code to help the patient's immune system focus on killing cancer cells. These extracted blood cells will be transferred back into the patient's blood.

China is a pioneer in the field of Crisp research. In 2014, researchers at Nanjing University claimed they had successfully tested DNA editing on monkeys. This is the first successful non-human primate experiment in the world.

In the United States, a research group backed by billionaire Sean Parker was allowed to test Crispr on people but if the Sichuan University experiment was on schedule, China would be the first country to apply clinically. This technology is in practice.