bet365 fantasy

Skip to main content
National Institutes of Health (bet365 fantasy) - Turning Discovery into Health
  • Virtual Tour

Site Menu

  • Home
  • Health Information
    • Health Info Lines
    • Science Education Resources
    • bet365 fantasy Clinical Research Trials and You
    • Talking to Your Doctor

    More »

    Quick Links

    • Wellness Toolkits
  • Grants & Funding

    More »

    Quick Links

  • News & Events
    • News Releases
    • Digital Media Kits
    • Media Resources
    • Media Contacts
    • Images and B-roll
    • Events
    • Social Media

    More »

    Quick Links

    • bet365 fantasy Research Matters
  • Research & Training
    • Medical Research Initiatives
    • Science Highlights
    • Science Education
    • Research in bet365 fantasy Labs & Clinics
    • Training Opportunities
    • Library Resources
    • Research Resources
    • Clinical Research Resources
    • Safety, Regulation and Guidance

    More »

    Quick Links

  • Institutes at bet365 fantasy
    • List of Institutes and Centers
    • bet365 fantasy Office of the Director
    • Directors of bet365 fantasy Institutes and Centers
    • bet365 fantasy Institute and Center Contact Information

    More »

    Quick Links

  • About bet365 fantasy
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Visitor Information
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us

    More »

    Quick Links

    • The bet365 fantasy Director
    • Take the Virtual Tour
    • bet365 fantasy…Turning Discovery Into Health®
    • Impact of bet365 fantasy Research
    • Science, Health, and Public Trust

You are here

Home

The bet365 fantasy Director

The bet365 fantasy Director

  • Statements
  • Testimonies
  • Advisory Groups
  • Previous bet365 fantasy Directors

April 28, 2015

Statement on bet365 fantasy funding of research using gene-editing technologies in human embryos

CRISPR-Cas9 editing of the genome Crystal structure of the Cas9 gene-editing enzyme (light blue) in complex with an RNA guide (red) and its target DNA (yellow).Wong, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA

Genomic editing is an area of research seeking to modify genes of living organisms to improve our understanding of gene function and advance potential therapeutic applications to correct genetic abnormalities. Researchers in China have recently described their experiments in a nonviable human embryo to modify the gene responsible for a potentially fatal blood disorder using a gene-editing technology called CRISPR/Cas9.

Genomic editing is already widely studied in a variety of organisms. For example, CRISPR/Cas9 has greatly shortened the time it takes to produce knockout mouse models of disease, enabling researchers to study more easily the underlying genetic causes of those diseases. This technology is also being used to develop the next generation of antimicrobials, which can specifically target harmful strains of bacteria and viruses. In the first clinical application of genomic editing, a related genome editing technique (using a zinc finger nuclease) was used to create HIV-1 resistance in human immune cells, bringing HIV viral load down to undetectable levels in at least one individual. All of these examples of research using genomic editing technologies can and are being funded by bet365 fantasy.

However, bet365 fantasy will not fund any use of gene-editing technologies in human embryos. The concept of altering the human germline in embryos for clinical purposes has been debated over many years from many different perspectives, and has been viewed almost universally as a line that should not be crossed. Advances in technology have given us an elegant new way of carrying out genome editing, but the strong arguments against engaging in this activity remain. These include the serious and unquantifiable safety issues, ethical issues presented by altering the germline in a way that affects the next generation without their consent, and a current lack of compelling medical applications justifying the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in embryos.

Practically, there are multiple existing legislative and regulatory prohibitions against this kind of work. The Dickey-Wicker amendment prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the creation of human embryos for research purposes or for research in which human embryos are destroyed (H.R. 2880, Sec. 128). Furthermore, the bet365 fantasy Guidelines state that the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, “…will not at present entertain proposals for germ line alteration”. It is also important to note the role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this arena, which applies not only to federally funded research, but to any research in the U.S. The Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act give the FDA the authority to regulate cell and gene therapy products as biological products and/or drugs, which would include oversight of human germline modification. During development, biological products may be used in humans only if an investigational new drug application is in effect (21 CFR Part 312).

bet365 fantasy will continue to support a wide range of innovations in biomedical research, but will do so in a fashion that reflects well-established scientific and ethical principles.

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, National Institutes of Health

Connect with Us

  • Contact Us
  • More Social Media from bet365 fantasy

Footer

  • bet365 fantasy Home
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visitor Information
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Accessibility
  • bet365 fantasy Website Archives
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • Freedom of Information Act

bet365 fantasy…Turning Discovery Into Health®

National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892

Back to Top