IPFS News Link • Science, Medicine and Technology
A Landmark Ruling Allows Gene Editing in Human Embryos
• motherboard.vice.comA group led by biologist Kathy Niakan at London's new Francis Crick Institute plans to use the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique on human embryos for research purposes only. The aim of the research is to understand more about the genes human embryos need to develop properly, with the hope that this knowledge could help improve infertility treatments and prevent miscarriages.
While Chinese researchers last year claimed to have edited the genome of human embryos, Nature reports this is the "world's first endorsement of such research by any national regulatory authority."
Niakan's group applied to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) for approval of the research last year.