Risks inherent in fetal gene therapy

Risks inherent to mitochondrial replacement.

T he UK Parliament recently debated and then approved legislation to allow mitochondrial replacement (MR) to be used in the clinic. However, we are concerned that some of the science of MR has been misunderstood or otherwise given only fleeting consideration. We set out our arguments below and offer a way forward to ensure that MR can safely deliver the health benefits it promises for those suf...

Fetal Gene Therapy

securitization of mortality risks in life annuities

insurers have in the past few decades faced longevity risks - the risk that annuitants survive more than expected - and therefore need a new approach to manage this new risk. in this dissertation we survey methods that hedge longevity risks. these methods use securitization to manage risk, so using modern financial and insurance pricing models, especially wang transform and actuarial concepts, ...

Inherent risks associated with manufacture of bioengineered ocular surface tissue.

OBJECTIVE To review the potential health risks associated with bioengineered ocular surface tissue, which serves as a bellwether for other tissues. METHODS All clinical trials using bioengineered ocular surface tissue published between July 1, 1996, and June 30, 2005, were reviewed with respect to materials used and statements of risk assessment, risk remediation, adverse events, manufacturin...

Fetal gene therapy of -thalassemia in a mouse model

Fetuses with homozygous -thalassemia usually die at the third trimester of pregnancy or soon after birth. Hence, the disease could potentially be a target for fetal gene therapy. We have previously established a mouse model of -thalassemia. These mice mimic the human -thalassemic conditions and can be used as preclinical models for fetal gene therapy. We tested a lentiviral vector containing th...