The FDA has approved gene-editing technology for the treatment of sickle cell disease. This is the same gene-editing technology expected to be used for various diseases, agriculture seeds, and synthetic, “cell-cultured” meat. The sickle cell treatment is called Casgevy and is being brought to market with partner Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Supporters and advocates have touted this technology as revolutionary, while detractors and studies have raised several concerns. 

A significant report came out in 2018 in China about a researcher who claimed to successfully genetically modify embryos that were eventually born as human babies. The modification was to make the childrens’ cells resistant to HIV infection despite the father being positive for HIV. This researcher spent three years in jail for an ethical and moral breach. CRISPR received funding in 2020 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to continue studying gene-editing treatments for HIV. Talk about designer babies and synthetic wombs has arisen as a result of this gene-editing technology. If the technology goes in that direction, it matches the definition of eugenics – “The study of how to arrange reproduction within a human population to increase the occurrence of heritable characteristics regarded as desirable.” 

Using CRISPR to treat sickle cell or any other disorder involves removing stem cells from a patient’s body. Then, a DNA sequence is deleted, or a new sequence is inserted. Then, the cells are placed back into the patient’s body. While this sounds like a form of genetically modifying DNA as agricultural giants Monsanto and others have done to create roundup-resistant seeds, authorities within the gene-editing industry insist this is a different kind of process that is more precise. 

Jeffrey Jaxen reported for The HighWire, “They can take pieces out, put them in, it recombines. That makes a whole new genomic species at that point. In old GMO foods, they were inserting genes; they were inserting herbicide-resistant genes and insect-resistant genes. We’re not inserting anything; we’re clipping and splicing.” Del Bigtree asserted that it is like surgery for DNA. 

Jaxen pointed to a study that stated, “Chromothripsis is extensive chromosome rearrangement restricted to one or a few chromosomes that can cause human congenital disease and cancer.” Jaxen explained that this is an “instantly cascading effect,” scientists, researchers, and geneticists do not know what happens downstream, but they can witness it happening in the lab.  

Jeffrey Jaxen’s report also covered the release of genetically engineered mosquitoes that were released in Florida by a biotech company called Oxitec, with EPA approval. While the intent of the GMO mosquitoes was to reduce the overall population and the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, the first locally acquired malaria cases in the United States were reported this past June. 

A research paper published by Frontiers in Plant Science states, “Compared to traditional genetic engineering, where genetic modifications in the host genome were always random, CRISPR-Cas based modifications are precise, predictable, inheritable, and sometimes without introducing any external gene sequence in the host-genome.” 

This understanding of the CRISPR technology has caused industry leaders to change the label from “gene-editing” to “precision breeding” to bypass strict GMO regulations in the European Union. While the “precision breeding” bill was passed in the EU, it was not without pushback from gene therapy and plant sciences experts. In a letter with 103 signatories, Michael Antoniou breaks down his disagreement with using the words “precision” and “breeding” to describe this procedure. 

Antoniou explains, “Different types of unintended damage accumulate at the various stages of the gene editing procedure, at both the on-target site (the intended gene-editing site) and at off-target sites (elsewhere in the genome of the organism). A large number of peer-reviewed studies reveal unintended genetic changes from gene editing. A review of the literature shows that gene editing-induced changes are different from changes that occur in natural breeding, including mutagenesis breeding, because gene editing makes the whole genome accessible to changes, whereas in natural breeding, some regions of the genome are protected against mutations. Recent research in plants (not involving gene editing) confirmed that in natural breeding, mutations are not random and that certain regions of the genome involved in important processes are protected from mutations.”

The letter goes on to say that the gene-editing process bears no resemblance to breeding and encourages policymakers to change the marketing term of “precision breeding” to a more accurate term, such as “genetic modification technologies.” This is the same technology being developed to genetically edit the DNA of humans as a medical treatment option. One of the latest reports celebrates the success of lowering cholesterol in two out of ten study participants. 

This technology is expected to be studied for the treatment of many diseases, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, and AIDS. The statement from Antoniou signed by over 100 doctors, professors, and researchers, is alarming if research moves faster than regulatory bodies. Antoniou stated that a “large number of peer-reviewed studies reveal unintended genetic changes from gene editing.” Antoniou compiled a comprehensive literature review that can be accessed here

Politico reported on the new law in Brussels that makes it impossible for European countries to ban food that is bred with new genomic techniques (NGTs). The rules were pushed by Bayer, Syngenta, and Corteva, the main players in the NGT plant-breeding industry. 

The USDA has stated that “‘it does not currently regulate or have plans to regulate’ CRISPR edited crops. Under its biotechnology regulations, USDA does not currently regulate or have plans to regulate plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques as long as they are developed without the use of a plant pest as the donor or vector, and they are not themselves plant pests.”

The USDA and EPA have deregulated CRISPR and gene-edited plants in the case that they could theoretically be created through natural breeding. Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2019 calling for low-risk genetically engineered plants to be deregulated. Joe Biden signed an executive order in 2022 declaring, “We need to develop genetic engineering technologies and techniques to be able to write circuitry for cells and predictably program biology in the same way in which we write software and program computers; unlock the power of biological data, including through computing tools and artificial intelligence.”

 

Steven Middendorp

Steven Middendorp is an investigative journalist, musician, and teacher. He has been a freelance writer and journalist for over 20 years. More recently, he has focused on issues dealing with corruption and negligence in the judicial system. He is a homesteading hobby farmer who encourages people to grow their own food, eat locally, and care for the land that provides sustenance to the community.

Other Headlines

Coronavirus

ICAN Releases Recordings of FDA’s Peter Marks; Vaccine Official Dismissed Vaccine Injuries

The Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) and REACT 19 held a joint press conference today to reveal a trove of secret recordings and FOIA documents of Peter Marks, the former Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. The press conference included ICAN Founder Del Bigtree, Attorney Aaron Siri, and REACT 19’s Brianne Dressen.Continue reading ICAN Releases Recordings of FDA’s Peter Marks; Vaccine Official Dismissed Vaccine Injuries

More news about Coronavirus

Health & Nutrition

New Fluoride Study Ignores Neurotoxicity and Sugar Intake in Cost Analysis

A new fluoride study has been criticized for being a tool of the industry to promote continued water fluoridation following the banning of the practice in Utah and Florida. The authors conducted a simulation model and cost-effectiveness analysis with data from 8484 children with a mean age of 9.6 years. The authors concluded eliminating fluorideContinue reading New Fluoride Study Ignores Neurotoxicity and Sugar Intake in Cost Analysis

More news about Health & Nutrition

Vaccines

HHS Terminates Moderna Contract For Bird Flu Vaccine; Calls mRNA Technology “Under-Tested”

HHS has terminated a $766 million contract with Moderna to develop an mRNA bird flu vaccine. HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said the decision is about “safety, integrity, and trust.” He added that “mRNA technology remains under-tested, and we are not going to spend taxpayer dollars repeating the mistakes of the last administration, which concealed legitimateContinue reading HHS Terminates Moderna Contract For Bird Flu Vaccine; Calls mRNA Technology “Under-Tested”

More news about Vaccines

Science & Tech

Humanoid Robots Malfunction and Attack; Sparks Debate Over AI Safety and Liability

A viral video released from an undisclosed Chinese factory shows a humanoid robot malfunctioning and attacking the factory workers. The Unitree H1, a product of the Chinese company Unitree Robotics, can be seen flailing its arms as workers move away to protect themselves. The robot was hung on a crane, and the workers were notContinue reading Humanoid Robots Malfunction and Attack; Sparks Debate Over AI Safety and Liability

More news about Science & Tech

Environment

CDC Advised Health Care Providers Not to Test East Palestine Residents for Chemical Illnesses, Lawsuit Alleges

Newsnation reported this week that the CDC advised local health care providers in East Palestine, OH, not to test local residents for chemical illnesses after the town was exposed to a toxic plume from a “controlled burn” after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in 2023. A lawsuit has been filed against Norfolk Southern and moreContinue reading CDC Advised Health Care Providers Not to Test East Palestine Residents for Chemical Illnesses, Lawsuit Alleges

More news about Environment

Policy

HHS and CMS Urge Changes to Gender-Affirming Care for Minors; Clinics Face Potential Loss of Federal Funding

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote a letter addressed to healthcare providers saying he expects them to update their “treatment protocols and training to ensure that care for children with gender dysphoria is evidence-based.” The letter was also addressed to healthcare risk managers and state medical boards. The letter refers to the report publishedContinue reading HHS and CMS Urge Changes to Gender-Affirming Care for Minors; Clinics Face Potential Loss of Federal Funding

More news about Policy