Heritable genome editing could become "morally permissible"

An independent inquiry led by Nuffield Council on Bioethics, involving UCL, has concluded that editing the DNA of a human embryo, sperm, or egg to influence the characteristics of a future person ('heritable genome editing') could be "morally permissible". The technique of genome editing could be used to alter the DNA of a human embryo, before it is transferred to the womb. This is not currently lawful in the UK, but could, in time, become available as an option for parents who wish to influence the genetic characteristics of their future child (for example, to exclude a heritable disease or a predisposition to cancer in later life). The inquiry on bioethics had eight contributing academics including Professor Joyce Harper (UCL Institute for Women's Health). The new report, Genome editing and human reproduction: social and ethical issues , sets out the range of ethical issues that arise in relation to the prospect of genome editing becoming available as a reproductive option for prospective parents. If heritable genome editing becomes "morally permissible", a number of measures would need to be put in place first to ensure that genome editing proceeds in ways that are ethically acceptable. Nuffield Council on Bioethics says that the possibilities raised by this radical new approach to reproductive choices could have significant implications and there must be action now to support public debate and to put in place appropriate governance.