Human embryo base editing can reach all cells but causes unpredictable genetic changes
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies .
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies .
The short version
- Editing the genome is an essential technique for scientists seeking to understand the genome.
- Editing genes in human embryos allows us to understand the earliest steps of human development.
- Early human embryos accrue a surprising amount of DNA damage as they grow, and most human embryos made with IVF stop their development in the first few days.
What happened
"By introducing such damage using editors, we are starting to understand how human embryos handle damage in their genomes. But the editing sometimes caused unpredictable changes and is not safe to use in the clinic.
Why it matters
Editing human embryos has the potential to give people who carry disease-causing mutations an opportunity to have healthy children through IVF.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Phys.org via the links above and below.