Genetically modified sperm

Genetically modified sperm (GM sperm) is sperm that has undergone genetic modification for biomedical purposes, including the elimination of genetic diseases or infertility.[1] Although the procedure has been tested on animals such as fish,[2] pigs,[3] and rabbits,[4] it remains relatively untested on humans.[5] In the case of pigs, the goal of research is to inexpensively produce organs and supplement the shortage of donated human organs.[6] Although GM sperm has the potential to detect and treat genetic diseases, it will likely take many years for successful use in patients.

Process

In genetic modification, genes are inserted into living cells in order to change how proteins are created. A viral vector is often used to deliver the gene of interest to the chromosomes in the cell nucleus. Every daughter cell will reflect the genetic modification.[7]

Applications

GM sperm is not frequently used in humans but has been extensively tested and studied in animals. This type of modification of the sperm, eggs, or early embryos is known as an Inheritable Genetic Modification. Because the genetic changes are passed onto future generations, Inheritable Genetic Modification is far more consequential than somatic cell modifications.[8]

Regulations

Genetic modification of sperm cells, as a type of germline gene transfer, is subject to federal regulation in the United States under the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee of the National Institutes of Health, as well as the Food and Drug Administration.[9] Regulation in the United States currently prohibits the application or research use of such technologies in humans, but does allow for research and commercial use, prior to approval, in animals.[10]

Controversy

Genetic modification in humans is a contested issue due to the variety of social and ethical issues it raises. One such controversy is the ability to modify the genes of future offspring to decrease the likelihood for certain diseases or modify the expression of chosen traits.[11] In a recent case, an American teenager successfully sued a sperm bank, because she had been born with fragile X syndrome.[12] Some also cite the promotion of eugenics through certain applications of genetic modification, justifying the moratorium on research and funding in human trials in many countries.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Animals From Genetically Modified Sperm
  2. ↑ Genetically modified sperm in fish
  3. ↑ Manzini, S.; Vargiolu, A.; Stehle, I.; Bacci, M.; Cerrito, M.; Giovannoni, R.; Zannoni, A.; Bianco, M.; Forni, M.; Donini, P.; Papa, M.; Lipps, H. J.; Lavitrano, M. (2006). "Genetically modified pigs produced with a nonviral episomal vector". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 103 (47): 17672–17677. Bibcode:2006PNAS..10317672M. doi:10.1073/pnas.0604938103. PMC 1635978Freely accessible. PMID 17101993.
  4. ↑ Wang, H. J.; Lin, A. X.; Zhang, Z. C.; Chen, Y. F. (2001). "Expression of porcine growth hormone gene in transgenic rabbits as reported by green fluorescent protein". Animal Biotechnology. 12 (2): 101–110. doi:10.1081/ABIO-100108336. PMID 11808625.
  5. ↑ Scientists 'five years away' from creating human sperm and eggs in a laboratory
  6. ↑ "Human genes placed in pigs". The Cincinnati Post. 2002-10-22. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
  7. ↑ "The Basic Science". Center for Genetics and Society.
  8. ↑ "Inheritable Genetic Modification". Center for Genetics and Society. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  9. ↑ Hanna, Kathi. "Germline Gene Transfer". National Human Genome Research Institute. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Regulations of Genetically Engineered Animals". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  11. ↑ Rasko, John; O'Sullivan, Gabrielle; Ankeny, Rachel (2006). The Ethics of Inheritable Genetic Modifcation - A Dividing Line?. Cambridge University Press.
  12. ↑ "Sperm bank sued under product liability law". New Scientist. 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
  13. ↑ Knapton, Sarah (June 2014). "Robert Winston: my research could open door to 'risky' eugenics". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
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