Experts call for halt to gene editing

CHICAGO: Top scientists and ethicists from seven countries called this week for a global moratorium on gene editing of human eggs, sperm or embryos that would result in genetically-altered babies after a rogue Chinese researcher last year announced the birth of the world’s first gene-edited twins.

The news prompted global condemnation of the work, raising the ethical spectre of so-called designer babies in which embryos could be modified to produce children with desirable traits.

The scientists and ethicists want to halt genetic alterations that “could have permanent and possibly harmful effects on the species”.

| ANA