CRISPR Trial Death in China, Carnivorous Saxifraga, and Neanderthal Muscle Gene
A trial in China utilizing CRISPR for Duchenne muscular dystrophy has been suspended following the death of a boy due to a severe immune reaction to the viral vector (AAV). This research, carried out by HuidaGene, located in Shanghai, was showcased at the annual convention of the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy in New Orleans last year. Following the incident, CEO Alvin Luk and CTO TJ Cradick departed from the company, which confirmed the fatality after remaining silent for 15 months. The death was attributed to the immune response rather than the therapy itself, echoing the case of Jesse Gelsinger in 1999. This situation raises concerns regarding regulatory oversight in China. Additionally, a study published in Current Biology has identified a Neanderthal gene variant associated with muscle growth in contemporary humans.
Key facts
- HuidaGene's CRISPR trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy stopped after a boy died from immune response to AAV vector.
- The trial was presented at the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy annual convention in New Orleans.
- CEO Alvin Luk and CTO TJ Cradick left the company; no press releases for 15 months.
- The death echoes the 1999 case of Jesse Gelsinger.
- A Neanderthal gene variant linked to growth hormone is found in 94% of Neanderthal genomes and fewer than 10% of modern humans.
- The variant is most common in East Asian (15%) and South Asian (20%) populations.
- Cells with the Neanderthal variant grew 40% larger in lab experiments.
- Saxifraga candelabrum is confirmed as carnivorous, supporting Darwin's hypothesis.
- The study used isotope labeling to show nitrogen transfer from prey to plant.
- Carnivory may be more widespread among angiosperms than previously recognized.
Entities
Institutions
- HuidaGene
- American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy
- Karolinska Institute
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
- University of Tartu
- Current Biology
- Nature
- STAT
Locations
- China
- New Orleans
- Shanghai
- United States
- Europe
- Asia
- Africa
- Paris