CRISPR Reaches Human Trials

            CRISPR is forging ahead towards use in humans. The first clinical trials in the US for the gene-editing technology have been approved by an advisory board to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study aims to improve the treatment of 18 people with cancer by performing three edits on T cells of the immune system that have been removed from the patients before infusing them back in each person (Reardon, 2016). The hope is that the modified T cells will be better able to target cancer cells and also more protected against cancer cells looking to disable them. The treatment is being tested on people with melanoma, sarcoma, or myeloma (Sifferlin, 2016).

            Although the trial has gotten approval from the NIH, the researchers must still make their case to US regulators as well as review boards within the institutions. The University of Pennsylvania will be responsible for editing the cells and will work with centers in California and Texas to find patients (Reardon, 2016). The project, which does not have a budget itself yet, will be funded by a $250 million immunotherapy foundation started by Sean Parker, cofounder of Napster and former president of Facebook. Carl June, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania involved with the trial, hopes to start by the end of the year.

Reardon, S. (2016). First CRISPR clinical trial gets green light from US panel. Nature. Retrieved 23 June 2016 from http://www.nature.com/news/first-crispr-clinical-trial-gets-green-light-from-us-panel-1.20137

Sifferlin, A. (2016). First CRISPR Human Trial Approved in the U.S. TIME.com. Retrieved 23 June 2016 from http://time.com/4380352/crispr-human-trial-us/

Zika Virus Won’t Stop Rio Olympics

With less than two months until the start of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the games should not be cancelled due to the recent Zika virus outbreak in the region (Mcneil and Tavernise). The WHO does not anticipate any increased consequences from travel to Brazil – the Zika virus is expected to spread to the southern United States regardless (Mcneil). With the recent impeachment of Brazilian President Rousseff, the severe recession, and the large spike in police killings, postponing or moving the 2016 Olympics would only send Brazil into further political and economic turmoil (Waldron).

The Zika virus can be transmitted through mosquitos, sex, blood transfusions, and from mother-to-child during pregnancy, but can be avoided with simple precautionary measures. Only 1 in 4 people present symptoms, which can last for up to a week. Symptoms are mild enough that most people do not require hospitalization, and many never realize that they contracted the virus (Symptoms, Diagnosis,  & Treatment). Though it is still advised that pregnant women should not attend the games due to the heightened risk of fetal microcephaly, other travellers, at risk for mild and short-lived symptoms, can protect themselves from the virus with measures that would be taken for any other mosquito transmitted diseases (Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an Alert for the Summer Olympics (2016 Summer Olympics). They advise travellers to take preventative measures against mosquito bites by using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and staying in air-conditioned or screened rooms (Avoid Bug Bites).

The Zika virus is not the only threat posed to outsiders during the 2016 Summer Olympics. Travellers must also take precautionary measures against crime, foodborne illnesses, and other mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue fever and malaria (2016 Summer Olympics). The CDC recommends seeking medical attention for any health concerns that may arise following the games.

References

"2016 Summer Olympics (Rio 2016)." – Alert Level 2. N.p., 2 June 2016.

"Avoid Bug Bites." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC, 22 Apr. 2016.

Mcneil, Donald G., and Sabrina Tavernise. "W.H.O. Says Olympics Should Go Ahead in Brazil Despite Zika Virus." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 June 2016.

"Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Apr. 2016.

Waldron, Travis. "Everything Is Going Wrong in Brazil Ahead of the Olympics." Huffington Post. Huffington Post, 23 Mar. 2016.

Brazil, Zika, Microcephaly, and Abortion

With cases of Zika virus in pregnant mothers being linked to microcephaly and fatal birth defects, many Brazilians are taking a closer look at the restrictive abortion laws in the country. Currently, getting an abortion is illegal in Brazil unless a mother’s life is put at risk through the continuation of the pregnancy, the mother was raped and this is a resultant pregnancy, or if the fetus is found to be brain-dead prior to birth. Being found guilty of an illegal abortion under these laws can result in one to three years of prison time. One exception to the brain-death allowance for abortion has already been made with anencephaly being considered an acceptable justification for abortion.

Some Catholic leaders are seeking stricter abortion laws. They are proposing measures that would increase prison sentences to a maximum of 15 years, make it illegal to encourage or assist a pregnant woman to have an abortion, or require both a forensic medical exam and a formal police report for all rape-related exceptions to the anti-abortion law. The push for more restrictive laws seems to stem from religious beliefs. Pope Francis has been more accepting of birth control measures but is adamant about the unacceptable nature of abortion. The Pope is quoted as calling abortion, “a crime, an absolute evil.” Members of the Brazilian government have also been quoted as claiming aborting microcephalitic fetuses would constitute an act of eugenics.

It is important to note that microcephaly is not universally fatal and not always diagnosed prior to abortion. There is an increasing consideration of abortion in Brazil, attributed to the fear cause by the rise of Zika in Latin America. This fear is compounded by the fact that Zika is often hard to diagnose due to its occasionally asymptomatic prognosis.  

Other movements in Brazil are seeking greater freedom for abortion in possible Zika cases. These movements cite the lack of adequate access to sexual education and contraceptives as a barrier to following the government’s recommended process for dealing with Zika-related birth defects. Brazil’s government has pushed a message of waiting to get pregnant until the virus has been controlled. At least one judge has said he recognizes this movement and will rule abortion due to confirmed microcephaly of the fetus to be acceptable under the same exception made for anencephaly, despite the difference in life expectancies. Anencephaly is almost universally fatal at the fetal stage whereas up to 90% of microcephaly cases result in no mental deficits.

Future shifts in Zika infection rates may encourage change in Brazilian abortion policy. It is not yet clear whether that change will result in more relaxed or tighter control over abortions in Brazil.

Works Cited

Collucci, Claudia. "Pregnant Women with Zika Virus Have Abortions Before Microcephaly Is Confirmed." Folha. Folha De S. Paulo, 1 Feb. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.

Johnson, Reed, and Luciana Magalhaes. "In Brazil, Zika Fuels Abortion Debate." WSJ. The Wall Street Journal, 8 Mar. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.

Mcdonald, Brent. "Brazil’s Abortion Restrictions Compound Challenge of Zika Virus." The New York Times. The New York Times, 18 May 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.

Román, Valeria. "Zika Awakens Debate over Legal and Safe Abortion in Latin America." Scientific American. Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2016. Web. 19 May 2016.

Romero, Simon. "Surge of Zika Virus Has Brazilians Re-examining Strict Abortion Laws." The New York Times. The New York Times, 03 Feb. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.

Sandy, Matt. "Brazilian Legislators Look to Increase Abortion Penalties in the Wake of Zika Outbreak." Time. Time, 22 Feb. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016

New Guidelines for Stem Cell Research

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), an independent nonprofit founded in 2002, recently updated their guidelines for stem cell research. This update was completed due to the increased amount of research in the field over recent years. The guidelines acknowledge the importance studying human embryos in the advancement of stem cell understanding. The controversy surrounding the use of human embryos for stem cell research is active and often related to beliefs surrounding the start of human life, or when personhood is gained. The new ISSCR recommendations focus on the preservation of research integrity and patient welfare, as well as respect for the subjects of study and transparency surrounding the methods used. The new document aims to address ethical uncertainties that may be found in the previously offered ISSCR documents “Guidelines for the conduct of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research” (2006) and “Guidelines for the Clinical Translation of Stem Cells” (2008). Some of these uncertainties may have arisen because of advancements in the field since the publication of the original recommendations. Interestingly, the new guidelines find that it may be acceptable to financially compensate women who donate their eggs. This accommodation is considered to be an appropriate way to ensure there is no burden placed upon women who choose to donate their eggs for scientific research that may not result in lifesaving medical advancements. However, the financial compensation for egg donation could also be viewed as an incentive to donate eggs in order to profit. If this is the case, women are no longer donating eggs but selling them. The new guidelines grapple with the way eggs may be seen. It is clear that eggs may be seen as analogous to organs, potential lives, or crucial ingredients to groundbreaking research. Navigating these views is difficult and is clearly attempted in the new ISSCR document.

The complete document specifying all new guidelines can be found at the ISSCR website: http://www.isscr.org/

Works Cited

"About Us." ISSCR. International Society for Stem Cell Research, n.d. Web. <http://www.isscr.org/home/about-us>.

Guidelines for Stem Cell Science and Clinical Translation. Skokie, Illinois, USA: International Society for Stem Cell Research, 12 May 2016.

Nicholas, Anne. "ISSCR Releases Updated Guidelines for Stem Cell Science and Clinical Translation." ISSCR. International Society for Stem Cell Research, 12 May 2016. Web. 14 May 2016. <http://www.isscr.org/home/about-us/news-press-releases/2016/2016/05/12/isscr-releases-updated-guidelines-for-stem-cell-science-and-clinical-translation>.

Kidney racket in India uncovered

Indian police have uncovered a group trafficking human kidneys in a prominent private hospital in Delhi. Ten arrests have been made so far, including two surgeons’ assistants and the ringleader of the organization. The group “has been operating for the last one-and-a-half years in Delhi and Kolkata” (McKirdy and Pokharel, 2016). Poor people were lured from all over India to give up their kidneys for a small fee. The suspects then sold the organs for up to $7,500 (BBC News, 2016). According to Mandeep Randhawa, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Southeast Delhi, it is unknown exactly how many kidneys were traded and how much money changed hands, although the police have been able to confirm five cases occurring in a period of four to five months (McKirdy and Pokharel, 2016).

Apollo Hospital, where the trafficking allegedly took place, denies any involvement in the operation. A hospital spokesperson described Apollo as “a victim of a well-orchestrated operation to cheat patients and the hospital” (BBC News, 2016). Nonetheless, police are investigating transplant committee members at the hospital “as all institutions in India are required to have a committee approve kidney transplants” (McKirdy and Pokharel, 2016). The hospital suggests that forged documents were used to pass stringent procedures. The hospital has given their full cooperation to the police as they continue in their investigation, and police are also monitoring other hospitals in the area.

McKirdy, E. and Pokharel, S. (2016, June 6). Delhi hospital kidney scam: 5 arrested. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/05/asia/india-delhi-hospital-kidney-racket/index.html

McKirdy, E. and Pokharel, S. (2016, June 9). Delhi hospital kidney scam: Ringleader nabbed. CNN. Retrieved 9 June 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/09/asia/india-delhi-hospital-kidney-racket/

Kidney racket at top Delhi hospital - BBC News. (2016, June 4). BBC News. Retrieved 9 June 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36452439

Obesity Rates for Women Increase as Men Plateau

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a survey conducted through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics that collects data on the prevalences of various diseases. Every two years, a sample of over 5,000 people from 15 different counties are surveyed around the country as a representation of the demographics of the general population. NHANES uses a stratified, multistage sample of non-institutionalized civilian residents and is comprised of an at-home questionnaire and standardized health examination performed by trained individuals (NHANES). The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in 2013-2014 was 40.4% among women and 35.0% among men. For morbid obesity, the rates were 5.5% and 10% for men and women, respectively (JAMA). The overall obesity prevalence showed that while trends in male obesity have somewhat stabilized since 2005, there is a significant, linearly-increasing trend for women (JAMA).

JAMA. (n.d.). Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016, from http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2526639

NHANES. (2015). Questionnaires, Datasets, and Related Documentation. Retrieved June 10, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/nhanes_questionnaires.htm