Researchers succeeded in editing the DNA of human embryos

Researchers have succeeded in editing the DNA of early human embryos at Columbia University in the United States.

This could open up the possibility of developing babies with the desired characteristics, writes the newspaper reporting on the matter The New York Times (NOW).

In their work, the research group utilized new technology compared to the previously used, so-called Crispr technology.

With the Crispr technology, gene editing works by injecting a chemically programmed gene editing solution into the ovum fertilized in the laboratory.

With the help of newer technology, so-called base editing, it was possible to replace individual genetic letters in DNA sequences without causing damage that has previously been observed with Crispr technology, NYT reports.

According to the magazine, the geneticist who led the research Dieter Egli pointed out that the research still leaves open questions about the technology’s harmful side effects.

The study has so far only been published online and it has not been peer-reviewed. However, efforts are being made to get it published in a scientific publication as well, NYT says.

“We do not claim that this [tekniikkaa] will be used in clinics tomorrow,” Egli said.

Human embryos DNA editing has been controversial for a long time.

On the one hand, gene editing may in the future make it possible to correct disease-causing mutations in embryos. On the other hand, however, it can also be used to select desired features.

The ethical risks of the latter possibility worry experts.

One of the most famous cases happened in 2018, when a Ph.D. who worked at the University of Shenzhen in China He Jiankui edited the genome of two human embryos in an unauthorized experiment.

They were expelled from their university because the exam was unauthorized and considered suspicious. He was later sentenced to prison as well.