Major development in gene editing to pave way for designer GENERATIONS
Scientists have been given the go ahead for gene editing
Two major science bodies in the US have said gene modification should be allowed if it prevents disease from being passed down from parent to offspring.
The National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine have released a landmark report sanctioning the medical research that will allow scientists to modify human egg cells, sperm or embryos by removing or adding different DNA.
Gene editing is already practised, but only on non-heritable living cells.
However, the new move will allow scientists to edit the human germline – DNA which is inherited.