Public funding for embryo research from the National Institutes of Health is forbidden. Researchers from Harvard University have announced plans to a trial a new CRISPR - based gene editing therapy in an attempt to determine whether the technology can be used to reduce the risk of Alzheimer 's in IVF babies . The study wo n't involve live embryos but will instead examine the possibility of changing the DNA sequence in sperm cells . The news follows the highly controversial claim by Chinese scientist He Jiankui that he had successfully used CRISPR technology to reduce the risk of HIV in twin baby girls .
Researchers from Harvard University have announced plans to a trial a new CRISPR - based gene editing therapy in an attempt to determine whether the technology can be used to reduce the risk of Alzheimer 's in IVF babies . The study wo n't involve live embryos but will instead examine the possibility of changing the DNA sequence in sperm cells . The news follows the highly controversial claim by Chinese scientist He Jiankui that he had successfully used CRISPR technology to reduce the risk of HIV in twin baby girls .