[ChuckMcM]

Wow, I had not connected the idea of using CRISPR genome editing with targeting virus dna segments. If I understand the technique correctly (and I am not a biologist for sure!) they used an adeno virus modified with a specific Cas9 setup to elide HIV DNA from cells it infected (normally I associate viruses with adding DNA rather than removing it :-)

Is that even close to a correct interpretation? It sounds like the technique could be used for pretty much any virus dna you wanted to target.

[ithinkinstereo]

Correct. You can also use CRISPR to edit a person's own cells in a lab for injection back into the person's body to combat a slew of diseases, including cancer.

China is already experimenting on live humans: http://gizmodo.com/china-is-racing-ahead-of-the-us-in-the-qu...

[notyourwork]

Question: Do different counties have different governing bodies on qualifications for human experimentation? I assume so but am not well versed in this domain.

[greeneggs]

There's a fair bit of raw data in this pdf:

International Compilation of Human Research Standards (2017 edition) - Office for Human Research Protections, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/sites/default/files/international-c...

[omarchowdhury]

Direct link to study: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02793856?term=cri...

[freyir]

AIDs, cancer, etc., is great, but what about male pattern baldness?

[kupiakos]

In all seriousness, what could happen for trans individuals? What would be the actual effect of replacing all cells' XY's with XX's?

[andygates]

Female patient transitions to male, then gets male pattern baldness. /s

[largote]

That's where the real money is.

[woogiewonka]

$$$$$

[j7ake]

Crispr actually was originally discovered by microbiologists who found it as a mechanism to defend against viruses.

[hprotagonist]

This is, in fact, exactly why CRISPR evolved.

[JulianMorrison]

It could be used for any DNA at all. The step from "medical breakthrough" to "germline altering bioterrorism" is particularly shallow for this technology.