A Japanese government life ethics research panel has approved the gene modification of fertilised human eggs to tackle genetic diseases. There are more than 5,000 genetic diseases whose causal genes are already known. However, it says that for safety and ethical reasons it will not allow gene-modified eggs to be transferred to a womb for birth. Research into correcting gene defects with this method could begin in 2020. The UK is one of only two countries where germline editing can take place on humans. Genome editing has already been carried out on fertilised eggs in the US, China and other countries with half those cases being to prevent disease.
A Japanese government life ethics research panel has approved the gene modification of fertilised human eggs to tackle genetic diseases. However, it says that for safety and ethical reasons it will not allow gene-modified eggs to be transferred to a womb for birth. Research into correcting gene defects with this method could begin in 2020. The UK is one of only two countries where germline editing can take place on humans. Genome editing has already been carried out on fertilised eggs in the US, China and other countries with half those cases being to prevent disease.