Jeanne
Lawrence, Ph.D., Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology at the
University Massachusetts Medical School, provided evidence that the genetic defect causing trisomy 21 can be suppressed in laboratory stem cell cultures. Trisomy 21 is also known as Down syndrome. It is a genetic condition where an individual has 47 chromosomes rather than 46, the extra being located at the 21st chromosome.
With the use of an advanced genome editing tool extra chromosomes are neutralized by silencing the genes on the extra chromosome. This is done on laboratory cultures from cells from individuals that have down syndrome. Trisomic stem cells that were muted were compared to identical trisomic cells that were untreated. Through comparative observations, researchers were able to identify defects in the rapid growth and specialization of untreated nervous system cells. These observed defects are regressed in which the extra chromosome is muted. The silencing of trisomy 21 by manipulation is a great step forward for the development of chromosome therapy not only for chromosome 21 but genome wide.
The possibility that this one discovery can lead to many different paths for the discovery of new cures and use in other therapies and solutions is great! By finding new techniques for silencing abnormal chromosomes, the development of chromosome
therapy can lead to cures for other chromosomal disorders that may be fatal. Hopefully future advancements using this discovery will not surpass the point where it is used for superficial reasons, such as creating the perfect/ideal child!
I found this article to be very interesting. I also did a blog on gene silencing. They used nanotechnology on mice and were able to silence a a very aggressive brain cancer. It is amazing that they can completely silence a gene. I feel that this can lead to many new discoveries and cures to different diseases. I just hope that people will not go too far with this and silence unnecessary genes in people or children. I feel that perfection is something our society strives for. Yet, I don't think that we should abuse the naturalness of people.
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