Scientists sound alarm over DIY gene therapy, calling it ‘unsafe’

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In just the past few months we’ve seen not one, but two examples of people pursuing unregulated gene therapy.

[T]he largest organization of scientists who work in gene and cell therapy have come out against DIY gene therapies. A statement from the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy comes on the heels of a stern warning against DIY gene therapy from the US Food and Drug Administration. For years, when it came to biohacking, regulators and establishment science have mainly looked the other way. That seems to be changing.

[T]he FDA issued a statement noting that selling supplies intended for DIY gene therapy is illegal and actually performing it is unsafe.

The ASGCT followed suit, arguing that DIY attempts at gene therapy are simply unsafe.

“ASGCT understands and profoundly sympathizes with the desperation that patients can feel when confronted with dire clinical prognoses,” the statement read. “However, ASGCT strongly discourages individuals from administering or seeking out unregulated or ‘do-it-yourself’ gene therapies. The field of gene therapy has been developing for more than 30 years with the goal of improving the quality of life of patients with serious diseases through proven, safe, and effective treatments derived from rigorous scientific and clinical research.”

Neither the FDA nor a consortium of scientists seem likely to dissuade those on the frontline of do-it-yourself science.

Read full, original post: Alarmed by Recent Events, Scientists Speak Out Against DIY Gene Therapy

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