Media advisory: Human genetics expert available to discuss genetic modification of human embryos in China


Thu, 04/23/2015

author

Brendan M. Lynch

LAWRENCE — In a development with ethical and scientific implications, scientists at the University of Guangzhou, China, have edited the genomes of human embryos to suppress a gene linked to a potentially fatal blood disorder. The Chinese scientists say their work was performed on “non-viable” embryos, but the use of the technique dubbed CRISPR/Cas9 has ignited debate over the pros and cons of genetic alterations in humans.

Dean A. Stetler, associate professor or molecular biosciences at the University of Kansas, has taught human genetics for the past 25 years. He said, “This is another example in genetic research where we make progress and everybody gets exited, or complains, and then it goes on.” 

“This reminds me of when ‘Dolly’ was cloned,” said Stetler, referring to the sheep cloned in 1996. “Everybody was afraid of it — and it still hasn’t happened in humans. A few years ago a researcher demonstrated you could clone embryos in humans, and he lost his job and his funding. Germline gene modification is a kind-of-scary thing for some people. It’s been shown it’s not going to be accomplished very soon. But ultimately the knowledge of human genetics can't hurt anybody."

To schedule an interview with Stetler, contact Brendan M. Lynch at 785-864-8855 or Brendan@ku.edu.

 

Thu, 04/23/2015

author

Brendan M. Lynch

Media Contacts

Brendan M. Lynch

KU News Service

785-864-8855