Interviews
Genome editing: Indications are discussed with the academic world
- January 4, 2024
- Publicado por: ACCDIS
- Category: ACCDiS in Media News
The Challenges of the Future Commission is making changes to the motion in order to improve data security and limit intervention in order to avoid discrimination.
A second look is being taken by the members of theChallenges of the Future Commission, Science, Technology and Innovation to the project thatAmends the Law on Scientific Research on Human Beings, its genome and prohibits human cloning, with the aim of regulating human genome editing and classifying associated offences.
The text corresponding to a motion by the senatorsJuan Antonio Coloma, Luz Ebensperger, Ximena Rincón, Francisco Chahuán and Luciano Cruz Coke, seeks to update the 2010 law, the 2021 "Governance Framework for Human Genome Editing" published by the World Health Organization (WHO). The document provides guidelines, Principles and Standards on Basic and Applied Research in the Area, warning about the risks and uncertainties generated by some of its uses.
At the sitting of 18 December, the director of the Center for advanced chronic diseases (ACCDiS ), Sergio Lavandero; and the academic and researcher in immunology and molecular genetics at the University of Antofagasta, Angello Retamal gave their views on the relevance of the initiative, as well as the Ministry of Health (Minsal).
In both, on November 13, the Minister of Science herself, Technology, Innovation and Knowledge, Aisén Etcheverry assured that the Executive had its written indications ready to formalize, those that he would have worked on with the Ministry of Justice, given that the bill contemplates criminal offences.
The indications presented up to this point of the audit of senators are related to:
- Safeguard people's data, considering the principle of non-discrimination, thus avoiding any type of eugenics (Practices that seek to improve the breed)
- Prohibit the removal of genetic material from the human embryo or after termination of pregnancy
- Banning germline genome editing (Egg and sperm)
AUDIENCES
As explained by Professor Lavandero, the ACCDiS brings together researchers from the universities of Chile and Católica, who are already carrying out the first research to identify the diseases present in the genes of the population of El Maule, Tracking 10,000 people. "What comes next is to define the Human Cell Atlas. The FDA has already authorized genome editing for diseases that cause red blood cell death. The genetic component must also be present in the development of public policies.", Sentenced.
On the other hand, Professor Retamal said that in Antofagasta they are already implementing sequencing tools that show alterations in the genome of this population and explain a higher prevalence of different types of cancer. "This information is uploaded to databases that register each gene anonymously. We believe that these types of issues should be considered in plans at the national level.", Recommended.
In both, the coordinator of the Bioethics Office of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ximena Luengo valued the proposal in terms of relevance, noting the need to broaden its focus because "today it only focuses on the genome and could be opened to the entire field of bioethics that is in the development of public policies."
The indications should be put to a vote in the coming days when the provisions of the Executive are known and the text is prepared compared with the consolidated one of the indications.
NEW INSTITUTIONALITY
On another subject, Minister Etcheverry gave an account of the project thatcreates a new knowledge-based institutionality of foresight and sustainable development, and amends Law No. 21,105, creating the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and innovation (Bulletin No. 16441-19).
The message in the first step, responds to the work carried out by the Challenges of the Future Commission during 2022 and 2023, from the formation of the Foresight and Strategy Roundtable. At the end of March, This body concluded its work, proposing the creation of a "Strategic Future Agency" with, Autonomy and delimited functions, that allows us to think about the future based on a strategic vision of long-term sustainable development.
The proposed law seeks to ensure coordination within the State to provide consistency, Coherence and efficiency in the design and implementation of public policies for productive development, as well as science policies, technology, knowledge and innovation.
Specifically, A new institutional framework for the future and development is created: a National Strategy for the Future and Development that will be addressed with a long-term horizon and a systemic vision, the challenges and opportunities of knowledge-based sustainable development for the country and its regions, with the aim of guiding the State's public policies that promote and promote productive development and science, technology, knowledge and innovation.
The Strategy will be prepared by the National Council for Future and Development with a long-term perspective and must be updated every 4 years according to the medium- and long-term sustainable development challenges defined by the Council.
Minister Etcheverry summed up the idea by explaining that "there is no national strategy for the country's development at the productive or scientific level; and at the production level, there is no specific strategy either. Scientifically, Yes, there is more advanced institutionalization at the level of national strategies and policies, But you need this umbrella overarching.".
The proposal that will begin to be reviewed by the Commission on Future Challenges, it must then be studied by the members of the Finance Committee before being heard by the Chamber.
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