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So Many Comments, So Little Time

Raynard Kington, acting director of NIH, said last week that the agency had received more than 20,000 comments on its proposed stem cell guidelines and now the number of comments is thought to be even higher, reports Science Insider. One concern expressed in the comments sifted through thus far include that the ethical requirements of the draft guidelines will prohibit the use of many existing human embryonic stem cell lines, including the ones approved by the Bush Administration. The final policy will be issued by July 7th.

The Scan

Positive Framing of Genetic Studies Can Spark Mistrust Among Underrepresented Groups

Researchers in Human Genetics and Genomics Advances report that how researchers describe genomic studies may alienate potential participants.

Small Study of Gene Editing to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

In a Novartis-sponsored study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a CRISPR-Cas9-based treatment targeting promoters of genes encoding fetal hemoglobin could reduce disease symptoms.

Gut Microbiome Changes Appear in Infants Before They Develop Eczema, Study Finds

Researchers report in mSystems that infants experienced an enrichment in Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Finegoldia and a depletion of Bacteroides before developing eczema.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Specificity Enhanced With Stem Cell Editing

A study in Nature suggests epitope editing in donor stem cells prior to bone marrow transplants can stave off toxicity when targeting acute myeloid leukemia with immunotherapy.