UK Science Adviser Urges Germ-line Modification of Human Embryos

Last month  in Washington D.C., scientists from around the world met to discuss whether or not to use new, cutting-edge gene editing techniques to alter the DNA of embryos. The stakes are very high because any editing done that early in development would be considered a germ-line modification, one that will be incorporated into egg and sperm cells and then passed down to future generations. So any genetic engineering done at the embryonic stage will affect not just that embryo, but his or her children, grand children and great-grandchildren. Many of the scientists at this meeting are concerned. We should all be. Not only are we just now barely understanding how complex human genetics really is, but these proposed changes to the human germ-line, even if for a good purpose, may resonate for generations to come. A good portion of researchers agree that we should have a voluntary moratorium on the editing of DNA in human embryos. The risks are just too great.  Instead they propose we use these techniques to cure disease in a somatic fashion - treating individual patients in the cells that need it and in a way that will not be inheritable. This is a smart approach, where we can benefit from the technology to treat disease, but eliminate any risk of unforeseen side effects to further generations. Of course there are those who want to move forward, disregarding the safety of future human beings. Sir Mark Walport, chief scientific advisory to the U.K. government, thinks ge...
Source: Mary Meets Dolly - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Genetic Engineering Source Type: blogs