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CRISPR takes important step toward silencing Down syndrome’s extra chromosome

medicalxpress.com

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Re: CRISPR takes important step toward silencing Down syndrome’s extra chromosome

#51

Post by tristor »

JimmyBuckets wrote: post #2

[flagged]

> 99% of people with Down syndrome were happy with their lives;

I don't believe this number for a second, but let's just assume it's true. Why does that matter? We know from an abundance of research about both the Disability Paradox and that specifically people with intellectual disabilities which are common comorbidities with Down's Syndrome express elevated levels of happiness compared to the general population in part because they lack the necessary faculties to understand their situation. "Ignorance is bliss."

Arguing against a cure that could happen shortly after birth for a debilitating disability on the basis of people reporting high levels of happiness is patently absurd.

Re: CRISPR takes important step toward silencing Down syndrome’s extra chromosome

#54

Post by squigz »

refulgentis wrote: post #39
amoorthy wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, thanks for taking the time to share all this data with such clear points. Much appreciated, especially the personal anecdote to make all this be less academic.

I read their comment, flashback to years of growing up, trying to salvage an unsalvageable situation, and my now non-existent family all came rushing in at once. I saw red, almost posted the one sentence putdown version....glad I took a step back and data-fied it. Learned a bit myself, and I really appreciate you said this. Don't have words for why. Cheers.

It can be so frustrating to read these takes about stuff like DS or Autism - and so tempting to just respond in anger. I'm glad you took a step back too.

You might consider posting that all as a top-level comment. It's very important context.

So sorry for what you had to go through

Re: CRISPR takes important step toward silencing Down syndrome’s extra chromosome

#56

Post by russdill »

Metacelsus wrote: post #55

If they're going to all that effort to make allele-specific guides why not just cut out the centromere and eliminate the chromosome entirely? This seems like an overly complicated solution.

My understanding is that crispr is less like a scalpel and more like a chainsaw. Great care just be taken to avoid introducing cancer causing mutations.

Re: CRISPR takes important step toward silencing Down syndrome’s extra chromosome

#57

Post by BadgerBloke »

refulgentis wrote: post #7
JimmyBuckets wrote: post #2

[flagged]

That 99% number is wrong. Additionally, it should set off alarms that the argument implies we should give people Down Syndrome . Using it to argue against helping people with Down syndrome is worse. The authors spell out why its wrong. [1] Their sample was exclusively from DS nonprofit mailing lists, got a 17% response rate, with a median household income of $100K, (2x median), and as they wrote, the results are like…

This is a well written response, thank you.

Re: CRISPR takes important step toward silencing Down syndrome’s extra chromosome

#58

Post by irjustin »

Metacelsus wrote: post #55

If they're going to all that effort to make allele-specific guides why not just cut out the centromere and eliminate the chromosome entirely? This seems like an overly complicated solution.

I wondered the same thing and according to Gemini a chromosome is massive vs a few genes. Cutting it out with crispr is possible, but it's too big of a change and would lead to cell death rendering whatever change either useless or kills the host given the possible stage this treatment could be delivered at.

Re: CRISPR takes important step toward silencing Down syndrome’s extra chromosome

#59

Post by colechristensen »

russdill wrote: post #56
Metacelsus wrote: post #55

If they're going to all that effort to make allele-specific guides why not just cut out the centromere and eliminate the chromosome entirely? This seems like an overly complicated solution.

My understanding is that crispr is less like a scalpel and more like a chainsaw. Great care just be taken to avoid introducing cancer causing mutations.

I wouldn't characterize it like that. It makes mistakes. It's a scalpel in shaky hands. When it works correctly it is very precise but just not 100% reliably.

in vitro there are various techniques where you use crispr on a cell line and then purify it by killing off the cells with errors and only then implant them

in vivo... well there are errors and among other effects are potential cancer

Re: CRISPR takes important step toward silencing Down syndrome’s extra chromosome

#60

Post by colechristensen »

memonkey wrote: post #46

I am slightly reminded of Gattaca, the story of which is that certain people are discriminated based on their DNA. Society is built, in general, excluding certain people due to their disabilities. Whether or not a blind person can find meaning or enjoy life has road blocks but is not impossible. Science can provide technologies to potentially improve people's lives -- cochlear implants for those with hearing loss, fo…

There are arguments about various "conditions" being diseases or not, Down Syndrome really isn't one of them.
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