DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast Kira Dineen

The real power of gene editing is being able to choose exactly where to edit a genetic disorder, as easily as correcting a tiny typo in a text.
 
With its 25 years of expertise, Cellectis was the first company to translate gene editing tools into potentially life-saving therapies. They invented the allogeneic approach (which is the transfer of cells from one individual to another). Cellectis’ technology, TALEN®, can make very precise edits, with limited to no off-target effects and we are learning more about it in this episode.
 
To do so, we are joined by Dr. Julien Valton, Vice President Gene Therapy at Cellectis.
 
On This Episode We Discuss:
Overview of Cellectis:
Celebrating 25 years of innovation in gene editing.
Overview of Cellectis’ journey and contributions to the field.
Understanding TALEN Technology:
Explanation of what TALEN stands for and how it works.
Comparison of TALEN with other gene editing technologies like CRISPR.
Advantages and disadvantages of using TALEN over CRISPR.
TALEN's intellectual property status and whether other companies are working on this technology.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells:
Introduction to CAR T-cells and their role in gene editing with TALEN technology.
Recent Research and Innovations:
Discussion on the new paper co-authored by Dr. Valton on using TALEN technology to edit hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
Explanation of the “promoterless intronic gene editing approach” and how it differs from usual methods.
Reasons for choosing Mucopolysaccharidosis MPS type I for the study.
Insights into the decision to trigger gene expression only after cells have turned into the myeloid lineage.
Remarkable findings of “corrected cells” in the brains of mice and the implications for treating metabolic and neurological disorders.
Implications and Future Directions:
Potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of metabolic and neurological diseases.
Discussion on the recent partnership agreement with AstraZeneca.
Specific diseases targeted with TALEN in the near future and the goals of the collaboration with AstraZeneca.
Conclusion:
Final thoughts from Dr. Valton on the future of gene editing and Cellectis’ role in advancing this field.
Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 290 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. 
 
DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.
See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.

In this episode, we are joined by Dan Dry Dock Shockley, a retired Navy veteran and advocate living with a hereditary colon cancer syndrome. Dan’s journey from military service to becoming a passionate advocate for hereditary cancer awareness is both inspiring and educational. Tune in as we delve into his personal experiences, the importance of early detection, and his ongoing mission to educate others.
 
Discussion Topics
 
Dan's Diagnosis and Perspective: Diagnosed at age 51 with no symptoms and no family history of colon cancer. He shares how this diagnosis shaped his perspective on health and life.
Genetic Testing Journey: Details about who ordered Dan's genetic testing and the education and counseling he received and the information about his specific genetic variant.
Understanding Attenuated FAP: Explanation of attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) and its impact on Dan’s life.
Advocacy and Inspiration:What inspired Dan to become an advocate for hereditary colon cancer syndrome and pancreatic cancer awareness.
Importance of Early Detection: The crucial role of colonoscopies in early cancer detection and treatment, especially in the context of hereditary cancer syndromes like AFAP.
Meeting Dr. Henry Lynch: Dan’s experience meeting Dr. Henry Lynch, a pioneer in cancer genetics and the significance of Dr. Lynch's groundbreaking work.
Continuing Dr. Lynch's Legacy: Dan's motivation to continue Dr. Henry T. Lynch's legacy of educating medical students and professionals about AFAP. 
Navigating with a Positive Attitude: How Dan’s mantra, "Always Forge Ahead with a Purpose," and its significance in guiding him.
Myth-busting Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Common misconceptions about hereditary cancer syndromes and how Dan addresses them.
Advice for Others: Dan’s advice for individuals diagnosed with hereditary cancer syndromes or undergoing cancer treatment.
 
Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 290 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. 
 
DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.
 
See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com. 

To discuss ethics in genetics, we are honored to host Dr. Arthur Caplan (he/him), a renowned bioethicist and a pivotal figure in the field of medical ethics. He is currently the Drs. William F and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City.
Topics Covered:
Evolution of Bioethics in Genetics:
Insights into how the landscape of bioethics within genetics has evolved over the years.

CRISPR Technology:
Ethical concerns surrounding the use of CRISPR technology for editing the human germ line.
Discussion of Dr. Caplan's influential 2015 paper on CRISPR, cited over 200 times.
Examination of international treaties and policies governing CRISPR use, and their effectiveness, especially in the context of the controversial case of the Chinese scientist who edited embryos.

Ethical Concerns with CRISPR:
Issues of accessibility, cost, and informed consent for CRISPR-based therapies.
Risks associated with the misuse of CRISPR for bioterrorism or biowarfare, and mitigation strategies through regulation and oversight.

AI in Genetics:
Potential impact of rapidly advancing AI technology in genetics.
Concerns about privacy and confidentiality related to AI applications in genetic data.

IVF and Legal Rulings:
Discussion of the February 2024 Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos created through IVF should be considered children.
Implications for IVF clinics in Alabama and potential repercussions if other states follow suit.
Impact on individuals using IVF with preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) to prevent genetic conditions.

 
Dr. Caplan was the Sidney D. Caplan Professor of Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, where he created the Center for Bioethics and the Department of Medical Ethics. Caplan has also taught at the University of Minnesota, where he founded the Center for Biomedical Ethics, the University of Pittsburgh, and Columbia University. He received his PhD from Columbia University.
 
Dr. Caplan is the author or editor of thirty-five books and over 860 papers in peer reviewed journals. His most recent books are Vaccination Ethics and Policy, with Jason Schwartz and, Getting to Good: Research Integrity in Biomedicine with Barbara Redman.
He has served on a number of national and international committees including as the chair of the National Cancer Institute Biobanking Ethics Working Group, chair of the Advisory Committee to the United Nations on Human Cloning; chair of the Advisory Committee to the Department of Health and Human Services on Blood Safety and Availability. He has also served on the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illnesses, the special advisory committee to the International Olympic Committee on genetics and gene therapy, the Special Advisory Panel to the National Institutes of Mental Health on Human Experimentation on Vulnerable Subjects, the Wellcome Trust Advisory Panel on Research in Humanitarian Crises, and the co-director of the Joint Council of Europe/United Nations Study on Trafficking in Organs and Body Parts.
Caplan has served since 2015 as the chairperson of the Compassionate Use Advisory Committee (CompAC), an independent group of internationally recognized medical experts, bioethicists and patient representatives which advises Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals about requests for compassionate use of some of its investigational medicines.
Dr. Caplan is a regular commentator on bioethics and health care issues for WebMD/Medscape, WGBH radio in Boston, WOR radio in New York City and KNX-CBS radio, Los Angeles. He appears frequently as a guest and commentator on various other national and international media outlets.
 
Dr. Caplan is the recipient of many awards and honors including the McGovern Medal of the American Medical Writers Association and the Franklin Award from the City of Philadelphia. He was a USA Today 2001 “Person of

Victoria is a patient advocate and international speaker from Mississippi. She is also a wife and mother of four children. Since being treated with CRISPR she has been featured in nearly every major publication including PBS, NPR, Forbes, Good Morning America, New York Times, and more. 
 
In the first part of our conversation she shared about her experiences prior to being cured including her sickle cell pain crisis and the medical racism she faced. If you haven’t heard this episode yet, we very much encourage you to go back to Episode #288 and listen, this is one of the most raw interviews we have had on the show over the last decade. 
 
In the second part of our interview in this episode, Victoria talks about inspiring others to pursue the CRISPR treatment and dives into her own CRISPR experience including the decision making process to go for it, the treatment regime itself, and her quality of life today after being cured. 
 
Victoria is a patient advocate and international speaker from Mississippi. She is also a wife and mother of four children. Since being treated with CRISPR she has been featured in nearly every major publication including PBS, NPR, Forbes, New York Times, and more. 
 
Victoria Gray, the first person in the world to be cured of a genetic condition using CRISPR, shares her experience with sickle cell disease and the challenges she faced in receiving proper care. She describes the frequent pain crises she experienced, the lack of understanding and empathy from healthcare providers, and the stigma associated with sickle cell patients. Victoria highlights the disparities in research funding and support for sickle cell compared to other genetic conditions. She also discusses the importance of mental health care and the need for better education and communication from healthcare providers. Victoria Gray shares her experience as the first person to be treated with CRISPR for sickle cell disease. She discusses the mistreatment and lack of options she faced as a patient, highlighting the ongoing issue of healthcare disparities. Victoria also talks about the impact of her story on others, including a fan who was inspired to pursue CRISPR treatment. She emphasizes the importance of mental health and the role of faith in her journey. The conversation explores the CRISPR procedure, the timeline of the treatment, and the transformation it has brought to Victoria's life.
 
During the interview we mentioned a couple other episodes of DNA Today that also explore sickle cell disease. 
 
#197 CRISPR Quality Control with Kiana Aran
#201 Sickle Cell Disease with Lifting the Veil
#214 2022 Genetics Wrapped with Eric Green
#251 Diversifying Genetic Research with 23andMe
#266 Genetics Wrapped 2023
 
You can also binge over 280 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. 
 
DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.
See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com.

It has happened. CRISPR has been successfully used to treat sickle cell, we’d even venture to use the term cure. And today we are talking with the first person in the world who was cured from a genetic condition using CRISPR, Victoria Gray! 
 
Victoria is a patient advocate and international speaker from Mississippi. She is also a wife and mother of four children. Since being treated with CRISPR she has been featured in nearly every major publication including PBS, NPR, Forbes, New York Times, and more. 
 
Victoria Gray, the first person in the world to be cured of a genetic condition using CRISPR, shares her experience with sickle cell disease and the challenges she faced in receiving proper care. She describes the frequent pain crises she experienced, the lack of understanding and empathy from healthcare providers, and the stigma associated with sickle cell patients. Victoria highlights the disparities in research funding and support for sickle cell compared to other genetic conditions. She also discusses the importance of mental health care and the need for better education and communication from healthcare providers. Victoria Gray shares her experience as the first person to be treated with CRISPR for sickle cell disease. She discusses the mistreatment and lack of options she faced as a patient, highlighting the ongoing issue of healthcare disparities. Victoria also talks about the impact of her story on others, including a fan who was inspired to pursue CRISPR treatment. She emphasizes the importance of mental health and the role of faith in her journey. The conversation explores the CRISPR procedure, the timeline of the treatment, and the transformation it has brought to Victoria's life.
 
Key Takeaways
Sickle cell disease causes frequent and severe pain crises, which can be debilitating and unpredictable.
Healthcare providers often lack understanding and empathy towards sickle cell patients, leading to mistreatment and stigma.
There is a significant disparity in research funding and support for sickle cell compared to other genetic conditions.
Mental health care is crucial for individuals with sickle cell disease, but it is often overlooked.
Better education and communication from healthcare providers are needed to improve the care and support for sickle cell patients. Healthcare disparities and mistreatment of patients with genetic conditions are ongoing issues that need to be addressed.
The impact of Victoria Gray's story extends beyond her own experience and has inspired others to pursue CRISPR treatment.
Mental health and faith played a significant role in Victoria's journey.
The CRISPR procedure involved bone marrow collection, editing the cells with CRISPR, and reintroducing them into Victoria's body.
The treatment has transformed Victoria's life, allowing her to regain independence and participate in activities she couldn't before.
 
During the interview we mentioned a couple other episodes of DNA Today that also explore sickle cell disease. 
 
#197 CRISPR Quality Control with Kiana Aran
#201 Sickle Cell Disease with Lifting the Veil
#214 2022 Genetics Wrapped with Eric Green
#251 Diversifying Genetic Research with 23andMe
#266 Genetics Wrapped 2023
 
Hear the second half of Victoria’s interview on the next episode (Episode #289) of DNA Today releasing on Friday May 17th. But you don’t have to wait, you can stream the entire conversation (part 1 and 2) in this YouTube video. 
 
You can also binge over 280 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. 
 
DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal P

We dive into the journey of a family who unexpectedly discovered a genetic condition and the pivotal role that research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) played in their understanding and treatment. Joining us are Jess, a patient with a secondary genetic finding, and her genetic counselor, Julie Sapp, from the National Human Genome Research Institute.
 
Secondary genetic findings, often termed as incidental or unexpected results, can have profound implications for individuals and their families. Today, we explore Jess's experience with receiving such a result and the collaborative efforts between patients, genetic counselors, and researchers in navigating this journey.
 
Meet Our Guests:
Jess: A patient who received a secondary genetic finding and embarked on a journey of understanding and treatment.
Julie Sapp: A genetic counselor at the National Human Genome Research Institute, leading research efforts in the Genomic Services Research Program (GSRP), focusing on individuals with secondary findings.
 
Julie Chevalier Sapp, PhD, ScM, CGC is a genetic counselor at the Center for Precision Health Research at the National Human Genome Research Institute where she studies social and behavioral questions related to the practice of clinical genomics and genetic counseling.  Her research interests include how people and systems make use of genomic data, the implementation of genomic screening, and the clinical utility of genomic techniques. Julie received her genetic counseling degree from the Johns Hopkins/NHGRI genetic counseling training program in 2005 and her PhD in Translational Health Science from the George Washington University in 2024.
 
Interview Highlights:
 
Understanding Secondary Findings:
Julie provides insights into what constitutes a secondary finding in genetic testing and the importance of comprehending associated health risks and outcomes.
 
Patient Perspective:
Jess shares her personal experience of receiving a secondary finding and discusses her journey to the Genomic Service Research Program (GSRP) at the NIH.
 
Role of Genomic Testing in Diagnosis:
Julie elaborates on how molecular diagnosis obtained through genomic testing contributed to Jess's clinical diagnosis and subsequent healthcare management.
 
Importance of Interventions:
Julie emphasizes the significance of interventions and preventive measures in managing genetic conditions like Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH).
 
Challenges and Barriers:
Both Jess and Julie shed light on the challenges patients face in accessing appropriate care and how genetic counselors can support them in navigating these barriers.
 
Research Insights and Future Directions:
Julie discusses the insights gained from Jess's case and the broader implications for research and clinical practice in the realm of genomic medicine.
 
Jess's journey exemplifies the transformative potential of collaborative research efforts in elucidating the complexities of genetic conditions and guiding personalized healthcare interventions. As we continue to advance in genomic research and testing, the experiences shared in this episode underscore the importance of patient-centered care and the invaluable contributions of genetic counselors and researchers alike.
 
Be sure to check out the National Human Genome Research Institute including their Genomic Services Research Program (GSRP). 
 
Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday since new episodes are released every Friday! In the meantime, you can binge over 285 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel.  
 
DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our G