Scientists in Canada have called for a 13-year-old law preventing the use of gene-editing systems such as Crispr to be re-evaluated, claiming they are being left behind in the field. The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) has launched an online petition calling on Health Canada, Public Safety and Environment Minister John Baird and MPs from all parties to review the legislation that prevents scientists from using Researchers want a similar law in Canada, where the Assisted Human Reproduction Act bans all gene-editing work, even when it does not make genetic alterations that could be passed on to future generations.
Scientists in Canada have called for a 13-year-old law preventing the use of gene-editing systems such as Crispr to be re-evaluated, claiming they are being left behind in the field. Researchers have pointed to the US as a model, where Crispr research on embryos is permitted, as long as they do not develop into babies. Researchers want a similar law in Canada, where the Assisted Human Reproduction Act bans all gene-editing work, even when it does not make genetic alterations that could be passed on to future generations.