The world's first human genome

On November 13, 2017, scientists in California, USA conducted the first genetic modification (DNA) in the world after a series of experiments. If successful, this will be a scientific breakthrough that helps cure incurable diseases.

The patient is brother Kevin Madeux , 44 years old. The gene tool acts as a scissors, it can find and cut off DNA fragments in an extremely precise way that the naked eye cannot see. Madeux said: 'I am willing to take risks. Hope it helps me and others'.

Madeux has Hunter, a metabolic syndrome , due to the lack of a gene that creates enzymes that break down a certain carbohydrate. Around the world there are about 10,000 Hunter patients and some of them die young. Treatment of a Hunter case costs 100,000 - 400,000 USD / year. People with this condition often have colds and ear infections, facial deformities, hearing loss as well as heart, respiratory, skin, eye, bone and joint problems, intestines, brain and cognition. Dr. Chester Whitley, a geneticist at the University of Minnesota, said: 'Many people are sitting in wheelchairs and depend on their parents until they die.'

Brother Kevin Madeux.

Madeux, who lives in the city of Phoenix, is engaged to nurse Marcie Humphrey. To date, he has experienced a total of 26 ear, eye, gallbladder, spinal surgery . Last year, he almost died of bronchitis and pneumonia.

Madeux has a chef and owner of two restaurants in the state of Utah. He used to cook for American skiing teams and celebrities. Ever since Hunter had suffered, he couldn't work in the kitchen or ride the horse like before. Genetic modification will not overcome his previous injuries, but will help him not to have expensive and tired weekly enzyme treatment.

The latest gene modification therapy has been applied to Madeux like sending a tiny surgeon into the body in a highly accurate position.'We cut your DNA, open it, insert a gene, stitch it back. It becomes part of your DNA and stays there for the rest of your life , 'said Dr. Sandy Macrae, President of Sangamo Therapeutics, the company that conducted the test.

Doctors are waiting for results. At least another month, they will know if the gene is corrected or not. Although scientists have carefully calculated and taken precautions, this genetic modification also poses a risk that if something goes wrong it will remain unchanged forever. Years ago, when researchers used gene therapy to treat some cases of immune system disorders, some patients later developed leukemia because the new gene was inserted into a position in Original DNA, where it accidentally activates a cancer gene.