Breakthrough in Gene Editing Comes as Scientists Correct Disease-Causing Mutation in Human Embryo
It’s an exciting time for gene editing currently as scientists achieve the first ever safe repair of a single-gene mutation in a human embryo. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, medical professionals used the technique to correct the mutation for a heart condition. The procedure was carried out early enough in the embryonic development so that the defect wouldn’t be passed down to further generations.
The study is an important breakthrough and could pave the way for improved in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes further down the line as well as finding cures for even a few of the thousands of diseases caused by single gene mutations. Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a professor in Salk’s Gene Expression Laboratory and corresponding author of the paper commented that, “Gene editing is still in its infancy so even though this preliminary effort was found to be safe and effective, it is crucial that we continue to proceed with the utmost caution, paying the highest attention to ethical considerations.” Although gene editing has become relatively easy to carry out for scientists these days, they do still proceed with much caution. This is partly to avoid introducing any mutations into the germ line[…]
