Scientists want to be able to genetically¹ engineer humans so that they do not get diseases.

 

科学家们希望能够改造人类基因从而使他们免于病痛。

 

That is the conclusion of a new report from two of the world's most elite³ scientific institutions, which calls for people to be allowed to make modifications⁴ to inherited human DNA⁵ so that diseases are edited out or treatments are edited in.

 

Such controversial changes could allow scientists to stop diseases from being passed on to future generations.

 

The report is a landmark⁶ because it in effect amounts to an official sanctioning – by the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine – of medical research that looks to edit, remove or add DNA in human eggs cells, sperm⁷ or embryos⁸.

 

But opponents have argued that editing for specific problems could begin a trend for making other changes, like adding selected physical features or optimising children so that they are strong or fast.

 

Gene² editing, which effectively allows the precise "cutting and pasting" of DNA, is already used in basic research and clinical studies that involve non-heritable "somatic" cells.

 

Now the two elite organisations have ruled that gene editing of the human "germline" - inherited DNA - should not be seen as a red line in medical research.

 

Future use of germline gene editing to treat or prevent disease and disability is a "realistic possibility that deserves serious consideration", the report says.

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