Enhancement.bio replaces T1–T10 with S–E: gene cards now show the level of evidence

Enhancement.bio replaces T1–T10 with S–E: gene cards now show the level of evidence

On August 24, the open project updated its database of human genetic enhancements. The letter on each gene card now indicates how far the evidence has progressed, from studies in cells and animals to human trials and approved therapies. The database is built into a game in which visitors construct a fictional character from genes and receive a printable 3D crystal.

Visitors to Enhancement.bio receive 100 virtual credits, which are not enough to select all 80 genes from 71 species. Their choices determine the shape of a printable 3D crystal based on the properties of the proteins encoded by the selected genes. The site is also an open database. Its project repository contains 136 genes, 1 134 experimental records, and 973 links to scientific papers.

The same gene can produce different results in different experimental systems. Dsup, a tardigrade protein, protected human kidney cells from radiation damage. In an experiment with rat neurons, the same protein killed the cells. The scale identifies the system in which each result was obtained.

“The letter indicates how far the evidence has progressed, not whether the result was beneficial,” the project README states.

The six letters represent different stages of evidence. S denotes a registered and commercially available therapy that targets the same protein or biological process. A denotes phase II or phase III trials. B denotes a phase I trial or a large human study of a naturally occurring gene variant. C, D, and E correspond to experiments in mammals, other animals, and cells, test tubes, or computational models, respectively.

The scale can be seen on the CGF166 program, which attempted to use the ATOH1 gene to restore hearing. The program reached a completed phase I/II study. According to the results published in the registry, none of the participants achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in speech recognition. The A rating records the stage reached by the trial. The database stores service availability, price, and regulatory status separately.

In the August 24 update, the varied T1–T10 designations were replaced with the unified S–E scale. DoltHub hosts the project's versioned database, which allows users to trace changes to a specific card. This keeps each claim about a new human trait linked to its source and the stage of supporting evidence.