Is it possible to edit the genome of viable embryos?

In the USA, a ban on editing the DNA of human embryos has been introduced

Copper news based on Nature materials: NIH reiterates ban on editing human embryo DNAThe US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has imposed a ban on research related to the modification of human embryo genes.

This was announced on April 29 by the head of the NIH, Francis Collins (Francis Collins). The statement was made after Chinese scientists modified the genome of a non-viable human embryo, replacing the mutant beta-globin gene with its normal copy.

The new law should prohibit the financing of programs that use non-viable embryos obtained as a result of fertilization of an egg with two sperm cells. "The USA is one of the few countries that did not immediately ban such research. Moreover, in some states, scientists can continue to work at the expense of private funding," explained Hank Greely, a bioethicist from Stanford University.

To edit the genome, scientists use nuclease enzymes that are able to "cut out" a certain sequence of nucleotides. The main problem of using the enzyme is its low accuracy. Nuclease works differently depending on which cell the sequence of nucleotides needs to be cut from. In addition, the action of the enzyme depends on its concentration. Earlier, American scientists called for the introduction of a ban on editing the DNA of human embryos. (On this occasion, we recommend reading the article "How the Chinese secretly made a superman" – VM.)

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru30.04.2015