Topic
05 Aug 2019
Published 17/07/2018
In July 2018, we published a report into the social and ethical issues raised by the use of genome editing as a technology that could influence inherited characteristics in humans.
The potential development of genome editing applications in human reproduction was one of the areas identified as requiring urgent ethical scrutiny in our 2016 report Genome editing: an ethical review.
The report 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.
The report recommends that two overarching principles should guide the use of ‘heritable genome editing interventions’ for them be ethically acceptable:
It further recommend that heritable genome editing interventions should be permitted only when:
It adds that, if it were to be permitted, it should be:
Pete is part of the senior management team. He is responsible for leading Council projects and inquiries and speaking on behalf the Council on a range of ethical issues. Before joining the Council in 2011, he worked on scientific development and bioethics at the Department of Health, where he led the Human Genetics Commission, and on assisted reproduction and embryo research policy for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Anna undertakes research to support the Council’s work and contributes to the drafting of reports. Before joining the Council Anna worked on medical ethics at the General Medical Council and prior to that has worked in research and policy roles in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the think tank Demos.
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