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 genes is permitted , as long as they do not develop into adulthood . Researchers want a similar law in Canada , where the Assisted gene editing Act bans all gene - editing work , even when it does not allow 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.