Gene Editing Could Give Longer Life

Scientists have discovered a new way to edit DNA that could fix “broken genes” in the brain, cure previously incurable diseases and potentially even extend the human lifespan. The breakthrough – described as a “holy grail” of generics – was used to partially restore the sight of rats blinded by a condition which also affects humans. Previously researchers were not able to make changes to DNA in eye, brain, heart and liver tissues. But the new techniques allow them to do this for the first time and could also lead to new treatments for a range of diseases associated with the ageing process. One of the researchers said they are very excited by the technology they discovered because it’s something that could not be done before. The possible applications of this discovery are vast. The cells in most of the tissues of an adult body do not divide, making it harder for scientists to introduce changes to the DNA. Researcher said, for the first time, they can enter into cells that do not divide and modify the DNA at will. They now have a technology that allows them to modify the DNA of non dividing cells, to fix broken genes in the brain, heart and liver. It allows then for the first time to be able to dream of curing diseases that they couldn’t before, which is exciting. The researchers used the technique on rats born with a genetic disease called retinitis pigmentosa, which affects about one in 4,000 people in the UK. By altering the genes affecting the eyes, they were able to give the rats a degree of vision. It should be noted, however, that although tests demonstrated improved visual responses after sub retinal injection of (the DNA repair) to three week old rats, the rescue was only partial and not enough to completely restore vision.