Recent advancements in gene editing have brought the possibility of editing human embryos closer to reality, raising questions about the ethics and safety of such a procedure. The use of a newer, more precise form of CRISPR, known as base editing, has shown promise in reducing the likelihood of unintended chromosomal abnormalities.

Gene Editing and Human Embryos

Scientists have used base editing to edit human embryos in the earliest stages of development, donated for research purposes by individuals who underwent IVF treatment. The research has found that the precision of the technique reduces the likelihood of unintended chromosomal abnormalities, but significant obstacles remain before it can be safely used in a clinical setting.

The potential for unknown health effects is one reason why the scientific community has condemned the work of Chinese researcher He Jiankui, who revealed in 2018 the existence of two girls who had been born from embryos he said he had modified using CRISPR-Cas9 to make them resistant to HIV. The use of gene editing in human embryos is currently banned in most countries due to concerns about safety and ethics.

Debate and Ethics

The debate around embryo editing is often framed as if the only possible endpoint is designer babies. However, scientists argue that the actual scientific and clinical value of gene editing lies in its potential to help understand and prevent genetic diseases. The use of gene editing in human embryos has sparked a discussion about the pros and cons of going further with this technology.

While some scientists believe that gene editing has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of genetic diseases, others argue that it is still a long way from being safe and effective. The issue of mosaicism, where the intended edit doesn’t take effect in all cells, and off-target effects, where unintended genes are altered, are still major concerns.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.