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Scientists for the first time have successfully edited genes in human embryos to repair a common and serious disease-causing mutation, producing apparently healthy embryos, according to a study published.
The research marks a major milestone and, while a long way from clinical use, it raises the prospect that gene editing may one day protect babies from a variety of hereditary conditions.
But the achievement is also an example of human genetic engineering, once feared and unthinkable, and is sure to renew ethical concerns that some might try to design babies with certain traits, like greater intelligence or athleticism.
In 2015, UK became the first country to approve laws to allow the creation of babies from three people.
The aim of this modified IVF is to combine healthy cells of a donor woman with DNA of the two parents. Basically, it is just like the above edited genes, the aim is to produce defect-free babies.
Ref:
1) http://www.todayonline.com/daily-focus/health/breakthrough-scientists-edit-dangerous-mutation-genes-human-embryos
2) http://www.bbc.com/news/health-31594856
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