Although gene therapy and gene editing studies have very promising potential, ethical debates on the subject continue. Despite all the turmoil in the field, positive news continues to come from geneticists.
A volunteer in New Zealand has become the first person to agree to self-editing of DNA to combat high cholesterol. This study is also important in terms of showing how gene-editing technology may have future effects.
It was a first in history
In the study conducted by the US-based Verve Therapeutics, the volunteer’s liver was injected with the gene editing tool CRISPR and a single letter in his DNA was changed. Thus, the gene that causes cholesterol has been edited.
According to the company, this simple adjustment will help permanently lower a person’s LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol.” LDL cholesterol is a fat molecule in the blood and can sometimes cause clogged arteries or hardening of the arteries.
It was stated that the volunteer participating in the study was already genetically at risk of extra high cholesterol, and also suffered from a heart disease. According to the company, this technique can be used in millions of people to prevent cardiovascular ailments.
Sekar Kathiresan, who founded Verve three years ago and is also the CEO of the company, said, “If this works and is safe, that will be the answer to the heart attack – this is the cure.” used the phrases. If CRISPR, which was developed about 10 years ago but used only for rare chronic diseases, turns out to be effective and safe, a new step can be taken in the fight against uncontrollable genetic disorders. In the gene editing study called PCSK9, it is predicted that if Verve is successful, cardiovascular diseases, which are the biggest cause of death, can be prevented. Moreover, there is no need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in this method.
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