Chinese Scientists to Try 'Gene Editing' on People

A team of Chinese scientists plans to begin a clinical trial using a controversial “gene editing” technique on human beings for the very first time.

Researchers at Sichuan University's West China Hospital will try out the so-called CRISPR technique to turn off a gene known to slow an immune response to treat patients with lung cancer, Medical Xpress reports.

Proponents say the CRISPR gene editing technique holds promise in treating diseases by changing a patient’s biology. But critics worry that it could pose unintended consequences, such as causing an overzealous immune response.

The Chinese team plans to retrieve T-cells from patients that have incurable lung cancer and then alter the genes in those cells. The cells will then be allowed to multiply and injected back into the same patient's bloodstream, which the scientists hope will trigger the immune system to mount a more aggressive attack on tumor cells, killing them and curing the patient.

The clinical trial is set to start next month.