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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