Human embryo genes precisely edited for first time
The technique precisely replaced genetic letters without the DNA damage often seen in earlier CRISPR methods, raising hopes for safer disease prevention.
- Columbia University geneticist Dieter Egli and his team successfully used base editing to rewrite specific genes in human embryos, targeting genes linked to heart disease and hemoglobin production.
- While earlier CRISPR-based editing frequently caused unintended genetic damage, including snipping out wrong genetic bits or destroying entire chromosomes, base editing provided a more accurate alternative by meticulously replacing individual DNA letters.
- Egli cautioned the technique remains imperfect, sometimes creating 'mosaic' embryos where only some cells were altered, while bioethicist Asa Iltis at Wake Forest University warned that assessing safety requires extreme scrutiny since harmful effects might only emerge after birth.
- Nucleus Genomics is supporting the next stage of Egli's research, though critics have accused the company of promoting a biotech spin on eugenics through its 'Genetic Optimization' platform.
- Geneticist Fyodor Urnov at the University of California, Berkeley warned the method could eventually appeal to those seeking to enhance traits rather than treat disease, writing that perfecting such technology provides 'baby improvers' with a manual for ethically questionable enhancements.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Science Shot: First Successful Base Editing in Human Embryos—Is the Pandora's Box Opening? Changing a Single Base Instead of Cutting DNA Fragments to Gene Edit Mutations for Heart Disease and Anemia; Paving the Way to Prevent Genetic Diseases Before Birth; Concerns Raised for Misuse to Improve Intelligence or Appearance Korean and American scientists [succeeded] in newly fertilized human embryos to [correct] genetic diseases
NewScientist
Los Angeles Weekly TimesAre we getting to the point where it's safe to gene-edit babies?
A team in the US has reported promising results after using an improved form of CRISPR to gene-edit human embryos, but a major issue remains unsolved
The practice has been used to correct genetic defects at birth: this is what researchers at Columbia University have managed to do.
Scientists at Columbia University have edited the DNA of human embryos in their early stages with unprecedented precision, an achievement that could open the way to the creation of babies with specific characteristics. This possibility has generated controversy for years. On the one hand, technology could allow parents to safely repair mutations causing diseases in embryos. But it could also be used to select desired traits, a practice that some…
The research team utilized new technology in their work compared to the previous Crispr technology, writes The New York Times.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
