Gene Editing of Human Embryos in UK Reveals New Fertility Clue #Science

"Embryo microinjection" shows an embryo being injected with the CRISPR-Cas9 components.


The DNA of human embryos has been altered and studied for the first time in the UK, offering new insight into the early stages of human development.

Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute, a medical research center, have identified the role of a key gene that controls how embryos form during the first few days of development.

Understanding the biology behind these early stages could help in the discovery of ways to improve the success of in-vitro fertilization, offer some explanation into why some women experience miscarriage and offer general knowledge on how humans develop.

Studies in the United States have manipulated the genomes of embryos to help understand -- and fix -- gene mutations that lead to inherited diseases, such as heart conditions. But this is the first research to target human growth and development.

CNN:  Gene editing of human embryos in UK reveals new fertility clue

Probably most of you have heard of research using human embryos and the observation just now is regarding the apparent acceptance relative to highly-emotional reactions of the past.

A closely-related topic is that of the use of human stem cells for research.  The advent of such research and the consequent outcry started roughly in the Reagan era and yet that topic today doesn't result in anything like the same reaction.


There are rigid ethical controls on the use of either embryos or stem cells and that may be the basis for mollification of angry reactions.

This form of research, however, does not come without controversy, as it involved manipulating the genes of human embryos and the potential to alter the germline: how DNA is passed on though generations.

In the UK, strict ethical guidelines are in place for the use of eggs, sperm and embryos in research, regulated by the Human Fertilization and Embryo Authority. Researchers must apply for a license to conduct research, and embryos used for research cannot develop for longer than 14 days after fertilization and cannot be implanted into a woman's womb.

The new study explored blastocyst formation in embryos, which occurs within seven days of fertilization.

- CNN

One of the controls is that no embryo will ever be subsequently used in a human being.

Zen Yogi:  laws can be broken

Of course they can, Yogi, but the ethical foundation which has been established for quite some time reduces that potential substantially.

Zen Yogi:  some mad rogue lab can do whatever it wants

That goes into sci fi, Yogi, since it's extremely unlikely one would do it.  There's the extreme example of Terminator-type movies but that's a form of sci fi as well.  In fact, it would take an large organization to ever create such a monster and, given the existing ethical foundation, it's likely the negative reaction to even considering such a thing would be enormous and probably at a global level.


Stopping a gene from working and exploring what happens when it's gone is a good way to find out the gene's purpose.

The team used a gene-editing technique known as CRISPR-Cas9 to switch off a particular gene involved in embryo development, known as OCT4. Blocking the functioning of this gene means the resulting protein, also called OCT4, cannot be produced, eventually halting an embryo's development.

- CNN

This type of tangible benefit gives reason to the research but note again the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to implement the change since that's the primary modern technique for development of GMO organisms.  One of those organisms is now us.

The topic of GMO has also elicited tremendous emotional reaction and the subject along with CRISPR-Cas9 has been presented multiple times on Ithaka but we don't typically see it on CNN.

Zen Yogi:  it's cultural evolution in action

Perhaps so but that demands asking why not.


The criticality of the OCT4 protein becomes clear through this research since the embryo will not survive without it.

The new research investigated the role of this gene in mice and humans and found that OCT4 plays a different role in human embryos than in mice, highlighting the need for human research in this area.
"In humans, (OCT4) not only maintains the embryo, but other tissues are affected, and the blastocyst does not form," said Ludovic Vallier, a stem cell biologist at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute who co-authored the research. "In mice, (the gene) just maintains the integrity of the embryo."

- CNN


Further on the practical application for the research:

Among women who know they are pregnant, it's estimated that one on six will have a miscarriage, according to the UK's National Health Service.

"If we knew the key genes that embryos need to develop successfully, we could improve IVF treatments and understand some causes of pregnancy failure," Kathy Niakan of the Francis Crick Institute, who led the research, said in a statement. This study opens the door for further investigations.

- CNN

The real life benefit is obvious which makes the research all the more compelling but still there's the nag of why now.

Zen Yogi:  it doesn't matter why now, mate, just that it is

Fair enough, Yogi, since it reveals a marvel with clear human benefit.