New Gene Editing Tools Renew Debate Over Germline Alteration

Saturday, May 9, 2015 - 18:00 in Biology & Nature

Recent evidence demonstrating the feasibility of using novel CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to make targeted changes in the DNA of human embryos is forcing researchers, clinicians, and ethicists to revisit the highly controversial issue of altering the inherited human genome. Currently, developed nations prohibit altering inherited factors, including ones related to disease, because that would open the door for editing to achieve positive traits. The United Kingdom recently allowed "Three-Person IVF" to try and prevent some cases of mitochondrial disease and say they were legally in bounds, though court cases have yet to be decided. read more

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