article_snippet.sent: Human embryos have been genetically modified so that any changes made will be carried on into future generations for the first time, according to scientists.
article_snippet.sent: Researchers around the world are bracing Researchers around the world for the results of a study by scientists in China that has introduced DNA changes to reproductive cells.
article_snippet.sent: Human embryos, like the one above, may have been genetically modified with new gene editing techniques .
article_snippet.sent: parents say that even embryos created in this way for research purposes only could have serious ethical and safety implications.
article_snippet.sent: Researchers at the moment say this should only be used for scientific research but this opens up the possibility of using edited eggs to create human embryos that have had heritable diseases removed.
article_snippet.sent: According to a report by the National Post, Professor George Church, a geneticist at Harvard Medical School, says a paper outlining the technology is due to be published.
article_snippet.sent: Modifying the DNA of human embryos so that DNA changes are preserved in the germline -
article_snippet.sent: A number of groups around the world are thought to be working on techniques to genetically modify human embryos.
article_snippet.sent: Germ line genetic editing alters the DNA in sperm and egg cells -
article_snippet.sent: Xingxu Huang, from Shanghai Tech University in China has been seeking permission to perform the technique on discarded human embryos after having successfully using the technique on discarded human embryos to modify monkey embryos that developed into live animals.
article_snippet.sent: Improvements in genetics are causing designer babies to near '100 per cent efficiency' in trials using mice, a leading scientist has warned.
article_snippet.sent: Professor Church's own group is also said to be developing techniques that could be used to modify human embryos.
article_snippet.sent: Dr Luhan Yang, a scientist with Church's group, recently outlined proposals to edit the human germline in an interview with Technology Review.
article_snippet.sent: Last month a leading group of biologists called for a worldwide moratorium on germ line research amid rumours that a worldwide moratorium on germ line research had already been used to alter human embryos in China.
article_snippet.sent: Edward Lanphier, chairman of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine in Washington DC, and four colleagues wrote: 'It is thought that studies involving the use of genome-editing tools to modify the DNA of human embryos will be published shortly . '
article_snippet.sent: In our view, genome editing in human embryos using current technologies could have unpredictable effects on future generations.
article_snippet.sent: At this early stage, scientists should agree not to modify the DNA of human reproductive cells.'
highlights_snippet.sent: Scientists in China are believed to have altered the DNA of human embryos so that changes can be passed on to future generations in the germ line .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Leading researchers warn germ line modification is 'dangerous and ethically unacceptable'
  