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Scientists seek permission to genetically modify embryos | Scientists seek permission to genetically modify embryos |
(35 minutes later) | |
UK scientists are seeking permission to genetically modify human embryos. | UK scientists are seeking permission to genetically modify human embryos. |
Researchers at The Francis Crick Institute in London want to use a controversial new genetic technique to carry out research into infertility. | |
The embryos would not be implanted into the womb. | |
The government's fertility watchdog, the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA), said it had received the application, which would be looked at in due course. | |
In the UK, it is illegal to use gene editing (known as Crispr/Cas9) of embryos in IVF treatment, but it is permissible for research purposes, under a licence. | |
"We have recently received an application to use Crispr/Cas9 in one of our licensed research projects, and it will be considered in due course," said a spokesperson. | |
The aim of the research is to understand the genes human embryos need to develop in the hope of improving treatments for infertility and miscarriage. | |
The research leader, Dr Kathy Niakan, said: "Importantly, in line with HFEA regulations, any donated embryos would be used for research purposes only. | |
"These embryos would be donated by informed consent and surplus to IVF treatment." | "These embryos would be donated by informed consent and surplus to IVF treatment." |
Group leader of the institute, Prof Robin Lovell-Badge, added that any use of the technique for altering the genes of embryos intended for reproduction would be "foolish" at this stage. | |
"We are fortunate to have good regulations in the UK that permit research with a licence, but not the implantation of any embryo that has had its genome modified," he said. | |
Moratorium | Moratorium |
Scientists say the new technique, called Crispr/Cas9, means that genomes can be manipulated in a more precise way than before. | |
However, there have been calls for a moratorium on such research, amid moral and ethical concerns. | |
Earlier this year, Chinese scientists announced that they had genetically manipulated human IVF embryos for research purposes, for the first time known. | |
The US later imposed a moratorium on federally-funded research in this area. | |
In the UK, experts recently called for debate on whether editing human embryos would ever be justified in the clinic. | |
Weeks later a group of influential scientists belonging to the Hinxton Group said it did not approve of GM babies being born yet, but it could one day become morally acceptable. |