Disease-free DNA

Our genes define almost everything about us – the good and the bad. If you could alter your genes to prevent an illness, would you? Recently a research team in China has managed to do exactly that. β-thalassaemia is a hereditary blood disorder caused by the mutation of the gene haemoglobin beta, by modifying this gene it’s possible to stop the disease from ever developing. Only unviable human embryos (pictured), which could not result in a live birth, were used in this study – the DNA contained inside the embryos was spliced and repaired using a gene cutting technique known as CRISPR/Cas9. However, the success rate was low, and the trial has now been stopped, but it does indicate a new step towards the eradication of genetic diseases. Clearly this work raises a lot of ethical questions – where do you draw the line with making up our make-up?

Written by Helen Thomas

Helen Thomas

Writer

Currently at Warwick University, Helen is working towards a chemistry doctorate in nanomaterials. However her scientific interests remain broad, and she enjoys exploring these different areas as a writer for the University paper.

• Image by Yorgos Nikas
• Science Photo Library
• Any re-use of this image must be authorised by Science Photo Library
• Research published in Protein and Cell, April 2015