Josiah Zainer is a biochemist for 36 years, a former NASA employee and one of the leaders of the biohacker movement. These people are engaged in biological research independently, without resorting to the help of scientific organizations (and, as a consequence, not issuing scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals).
Recently Zayner decided on an unusual experiment. He tried to change the DNA in the muscle cells of his own hand using the famous CRISPR technology. Perhaps this is the first time in history when a person has edited his own genes. He needed a regular medical syringe filled with the appropriate composition. The video was recorded by the experimenter on the Internet.
As explained by Zayner edition of The Gardian, he built in the DNA of the cells of his hand the gene that encodes the protein myostatin. This substance promotes the growth of muscles (or prevents them from decrepit with age). The choice of the American fell precisely on this gene, because it is well studied, and similar experiments were carried out many times on animals.
The biochemist explains that in experiments on our younger brothers, the first results became noticeable in four to six weeks. At the moment, the researcher develops tests that will allow him to check whether the DNA in the muscle cells of his arm has really changed. In this case, as Seiner notes, he is skeptical about the possibility of increasing the amount of musculature visible to the naked eye.
Proceeding from his own knowledge of biology, the experimenter considers the risks of his experience to be minimal. Mainly because it is about adding a well-known gene to the cells of the hand with a local injection. Editing DNA throughout the body would be much more dangerous.
Zayner explains his motives simply. While the methods of gene therapy are being tested for verification, millions of people who could have already cured die. He does not deny that the methods of editing DNA are potentially dangerous, and we need to find a balance between risks and possible benefits. But, according to the biohacker, now the balance is strongly biased towards reinsurance. By his experiment, the biochemist wants to demonstrate that another approach is possible.
Zainer advocates for a society in which the methods of gene therapy are available to everyone. His motto is: "With your own body, everyone can do anything." Nevertheless, he calls on people to treat themselves responsibly and in their experiments rely on proven scientific knowledge.
As the biochemist explains, all the necessary tools are available and inexpensive. For example, the necessary DNA fragment of the laboratory can synthesize for ten US dollars, and it does not matter, the scientific organization or private person turned to it.
According to Zayner, the irrational fear of GMOs in society is caused by a division into "we" and "they." "They" (biologists) have the right to edit genes, and "we" (the society) do not know and do not understand what they are doing, so it's better not to do it. When each person is "his own GMO", everything will change.
True, it is possible that some people will want to grow their own tails and other additional organs. But in a conscious and voluntary change of body, Zayner does not see anything wrong.
Gene therapy helps to defeat multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and other diseases. By the way, the US has already approved the use of gene therapy in the treatment of leukemia and blindness.