Re: [DIYbio] Re: least risky human hello world?

> Responding to Cathal that there is no safe human hello world:
> I agree that real transhumanist, gene therapy stuff is much too difficult
> and dangerous for a DIY setting at this time.  However, a transient
plasmid
> transfection on a limited patch of skin seems a lot less risky.

Again: cytokine storm. Also, immune cross-reactivity could give you a
permanent autoimmune condition after transient transfection with
something wacky.

Gene therapy is also immunotherapy, because right now to do safe gene
therapy you need to know enough about the immune system to avoid blowing
it up. Having studied gene therapy for cancer for ~2.5 years (after 2
years of modules featuring virology and medical genetics), I don't feel
confident doing so. So, IMO, neither should someone who *hasn't* spent
that time studying cancer and gene therapy.

On 16/09/14 16:36, Mike Horwath wrote:
>
> On Monday, September 15, 2014 12:18:09 PM UTC-4, Mega [Andreas Stuermer]
> wrote:
>>
>> Mike, yes the paper was about transient. But you can easily add an element
>> that allows the DNA to be maintained as an episome.
>>
>
> I agree, that would be a good approach if someone wanted to pursue this
> project in a professional setting.  I'm skeptical about the "easily" part,
> since the episomal vectors are usually larger and more difficult to
> transfect than a simple expression plasmid.  Not sure what the
> smallest/easiest episomal vector is though.
>
> I'll add on one more requirement to my "hello world" list:
> 6)   Transfection should be carried out on a limited patch of tissue, such
> that even if every affected cell dies, there is little permanent
> damage/disability.
>
> Responding to Cathal that there is no safe human hello world:  
> I agree that real transhumanist, gene therapy stuff is much too difficult
> and dangerous for a DIY setting at this time.  However, a transient plasmid
> transfection on a limited patch of skin seems a lot less risky.  Not zero
> risk, but sometimes people take a risk doing something they are passionate
> about...I'd put it at lower risk than climbing everest or some of the home
> surgery the grinders are doing.
>
> Of course I'm not doing any of those things myself :)
>
>
>

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