Scientists Call For Wait On Human Germ Line Genetic Alterations

Some scientists want a moratorium on using the Crispr-Cas9 genetic editing technique to modify germ line DNA. The germ line is the DNA that gets passed from parents to offspring. Basically, they are arguing against offspring genetic engineering until the safety of the technique can be assured. A team of scientists at UCSD has just announced an improvement on Crispr-Cas9 for editing chromosomes to alter the germ line DNA. Their technique alters both chromosomes and can convert chromosomes that are heterogeneous (differing between the a pair of chromosomes) to make them homozygous for the new desired sequence. Got a better sequence you want to give to offspring? They'll get two copies of the sequence with this new technique. I think...
Source: FuturePundit - Category: Research Authors: Source Type: blogs