A team of US researchers has changed the DNA of single-cell embryos using gene-editing technique CRISPR, according to a report from MIT Technology Review.
This is the first known attempt at creating genetically-modified human embryos in the US.
None of the embryos were allowed to develop beyond a few days, but the scientists have demonstrated it is possible to safely correct defective genes using germline engineering.
Human embryos allowed to develop following this process would also pass on gene corrections to their offspring.
Germline engineering has the potential to eradicate genetic diseases and create “designer babies” with genetic enhancements.
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