For the first time in the United States, the scientists were able to fix the genes of a human embryo, thus committing a revolutionary breakthrough. In the future doctors will be able to deliver the children inheriting diseases.
According to MIT Technology Review, the experiment took place solely for the purpose of advancing science — the embryos are allowed to develop over several days, and they are never intended for implantation to a woman. The publication was first presented to the public on Wednesday.
Representatives of the University of health and science of Oregon confirmed that a successful experiment was carried out from them, and the results will soon be published in a scientific journal. This is reportedly the first such operation in the United States. Previous similar experiments were conducted in China.
Scientists from Oregon used a technique called CRISPR, which allows you to change or replace certain sections of DNA. This technique is much more precisethan other types of gene therapy, which can not guarantee that the changes will occur exactly as it needs doctors. With CRISPR genome editing are permanent and inherited.
This approach has great potential to prevent many genetic diseases. However, it raises some concerns about the creation of «artificial children», if it will begin to use only when absolutely necessary, but for the simple obtaining of specific traits.
Earlier this year, the national Academy of Sciences and national Academy of medicine, US said that changing the genes of embryos is a completely acceptable phenomenonif it is conducted under strict control and aim to prevent serious diseases.
Last year, British scientists announced that they may begin editing the genes of embryos to better understand human development.
