February 16, 2017

US experts soften stand on DNA editing of human eggs

Powerful gene editing tools may one day be used on human embryos, eggs and sperm to
remove genes that cause inherited diseases, according to a report by US scientists released on
Tuesday .

The report from the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine
said scientific advances has made gene editing in human reproductive cells “a realistic
possibility that deserves serious consideration“. The statement signals a softening in approach
over the use of technology known as CRISPR-Cas9 that has opened up new frontiers in
genetic medicine because of its ability to modify genes quickly and efficiently.

In December 2015, scientists at a meeting in Washington said it would be “irresponsible“ to
use gene editing technology in human embryos for therapeutic purposes. The latest NAS
report said that clinical trials for genome editing of the human germline could be permitted,
“but only for serious conditions under stringent oversight“.

CRISPR-Cas9 works as a type of molecular scissors that can selectively trim away unwanted
parts of the genome, and replace it with new stretches of DNA. The concern is that use of the
technology may allow the changes pass along to the offspring.

Source :  The Times of India




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