US 'will not fund research for modifying embryo DNA' - BBC News
Modifying the DNA of embryos is a "line that should not be crossed", a leading figure in US research says.
Last week a team at Sun Yat-sen University, in Guangzhou, reported using Crispr to modify defective parts of DNA that lead to a blood disorder called beta thalassaemia.
Their world first, reported in the journal Protein and Cell, showed the correction was successful in seven out of 86 attempts.
However, there were a number of other "off-target" mutations introduced to the genetic code.
The embryos used were "non-viable" so could never have led to a child.
Modifying the DNA of embryos is a "line that should not be crossed", a leading figure in US research says.
Last week a team at Sun Yat-sen University, in Guangzhou, reported using Crispr to modify defective parts of DNA that lead to a blood disorder called beta thalassaemia.
Their world first, reported in the journal Protein and Cell, showed the correction was successful in seven out of 86 attempts.
However, there were a number of other "off-target" mutations introduced to the genetic code.
The embryos used were "non-viable" so could never have led to a child.