近日,一場關於「基因」的話題席捲了國內幾乎各大媒體,這個向來對民眾來說「不明覺厲」的領域,這次卻因為牽涉「製造嬰兒」的倫理思考,被推上輿論的風口浪尖,引發大量關注和討論。
基因決定著人類的繁衍生息和發展,與人類的生育息息相關。輔助生殖治療可以說是對基因技術的運用最為廣泛的領域之一。作為世界上第一位「克隆自己」的基因科學家、Gen 5 生殖醫學中心創辦者——Dr. Wood,同樣關注了本次「基因編輯嬰兒」的消息,我們就此次事件對Dr. Wood
進行了簡單的採訪。
Samuel H. Wood
Gen5 生殖醫療中心創始人兼醫學主任
Stemagen首席執行官
Progenesis Inc.首席科學家
生殖內分泌學專家
Q1
作為一位基因學領域的學者,請問您對此次中國科學家製造「基因編輯嬰兒」的行為有什麼看法?
I have read the news reports regarding the use of CRISPR technologies on the early embryos that became two girls with great interest. It is my hope that if this procedure was performed as the scientist suggests that it will cause no harm to the girls involved.
譯文:
我第一時間關注了藉助編輯基因工具CRISPR對早期囊胚進行修改,從而使雙胞胎姐妹擁有免疫艾滋病基因的報道。我真心希望這項科學領域的突破並未對雙胞胎姐妹造成任何傷害。
Q2
很多學者把此舉稱為「打開了潘多拉的魔盒」,「基因編輯」對人類來說究竟有什麼危害?
While gene editing will almost certainly be an important tool in the future, we must be very careful in determining how and when to use this technique while it is still being improved so that it can be used safely. At present, it is quite simple to use readily available scientific kits to perform this type of research. Before using any technique, one must first ask if it is necessary. In the present case, it may not have been. There are several other ways to minimize the risk of a baby being infected with HIV that are quite effective.
譯文:
當編輯基因成為未來之趨,我們更需要嚴謹慎微,在保證社會秩序安全性的前提下決定研究的開展和用武之地。現如今,應用已經成熟的科學去做類似的實驗不難,但難於人類的自製與自問:有沒有必要?是不是唯一方案?顯然,在編輯嬰兒的案件里,有過為之嫌,因為世界上已有其他有效防禦阻斷嬰兒感染HIV 的途徑。
But if a gene editing technique is required, a scientist must understand that what is difficult is ensuring that the only the intended gene is modified and that it is modified as intended. One must also realize that modifying a gene for one purpose may actually cause other unexpected harm. For example, in the present case, modifying a gene in an attempt to reduce the risk that the girls will become infected with HIV may increase the risk that they will instead develop other infections.
譯文:
如果編輯基因已作為必須的研究項目,那相關科學家更要明白」度「的拿捏和把控:為之所需,需知已為。即使因為美好的初衷而進行的基因編輯,也有可能造成其他非預期的傷害。例如在編輯嬰兒案例中,或許她們降低了罹患艾滋病毒的風險,