Babies and Genetic Engineering
Editorial, CEO, Michelle Perro, MD
Small Interfering RNA (siRNA)
As a children’s specialist, I want to caution parents regarding the emerging use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, particularly in therapeutic contexts potentially applicable to infants and young children. This technology, which manipulates RNA to silence specific genes, is still in its infancy and carries significant unknowns. Early research indicates that siRNA can unintentionally impact off-target genes, leading to unpredictable biological outcomes.
For developing infants, whose cellular and genetic pathways are rapidly evolving, this can mean unintended interference with developmental processes crucial for normal growth and health. Moreover, the delivery mechanisms used to transport siRNA into cells can themselves provoke immune responses or toxicities, potentially compromising an infant's still-developing immune system. Therefore, until there is more comprehensive research and understanding of the long-term impacts and safety of siRNA technology in young children, extreme caution and rigorous scrutiny of its application are advised.
What is RNA?
RNA (ribose nucleic acid) is a complex molecular containing sugar and a phosphate backbone. The ribose is the sugar, whereas in its cousin, DNA, the sugar is deoxyribose. Both RNA and DNA carry information which is stored in “bases” made of nitrogen. Simply stated, in RNA these bases are adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil. DNA contains thymine in place of uracil. The biggest difference is that DNA forms a double-stranded helix and RNA is a single-stranded helix.
Photo credit: Earth How
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, just released a new genetic immune modulation therapy for babies against Covid-19 and flu in a single shot, given the catchy name “one-and-done” shot. This newest technology employs using the siRNA lab-engineered technology as an injection or a nasal spray discussed above.
“One-and-Done”
How Is This Different From the Modified RNA (mRNA) in the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and modified RNA (mRNA) technologies are distinct in their mechanisms and applications, particularly in medical treatments and vaccines. mRNA technology, as used in the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, involves introducing synthetic mRNA into the body that codes for a specific viral protein—commonly the
This synthetic mRNA uses the body’s cellular machinery to produce the viral protein, which, in turn, triggers an immune response without causing disease. The theory proposed was that this response prepares the immune system to recognize and fight the actual virus if it is encountered.
On the other hand, siRNA functions through a different mechanism known as RNA interference. siRNA molecules are designed to specifically bind to and degrade complementary mRNA sequences in the cells.
By targeting the mRNA of viruses, the proposition is that the siRNA can prevent the replication of the virus within the body, neutralizing its capacity to cause infection. This technology does not involve the production of viral proteins, but directly interferes with the viral genetic material, offering a novel approach to viral infections rather than a vaccine-based strategy.