A team of British scientists has been approved to use “gene editing” techniques on human embryos, in the hope that it will better our understanding of early human life. A group at the Francis Crick Institute in London wants to research newly fertilised eggs and how they develop in the first seven days — from a single cell to a blastocyst with roughly 250 cells. Using gene manipulation, the researchers want to glean new insights about our DNA and the exact requirements for a healthy embryo. With this information, specialists could find ways to improve post-IVF embryo development techniques and clinical treatments for infertility.
The UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has approved the team’s research application, however a form of “ethical approval” is still needed before they can begin testing . Provided they get the go-ahead, the group — led by Dr Kathy Niakan — will use embryos donated by patients that are considered surplus to their IVF treatment. As the BBC notes, it will be illegal for the scientists to implant any of the modified embryos in women — they’re purely for research, basically.
via Engadget
