But scientists say making changes in DNA that can be passed on isn’t yet safe and effective
Gene editing to make heritable changes in human DNA isn’t yet safe and effective enough to make gene-edited babies, an international scientific commission says. But in a Sept. 3 report, the group laid out a road map for rolling out heritable gene editing should society decide that kind of DNA alteration is acceptable. If countries can’t ensure that all of those criteria are met, heritable gene editing shouldn’t be approved, the commissioners say.Still, some critics charge that even presenting such criteria is premature. The science should wait until society decides whether to allow gene editing that can affect future generations, they say.
Gene editing involves changing a single DNA letter, or base, in a gene.
