Human Genoma Editing

How the genome-edited-babies revelation will affect research Conversation at the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing in Hong Kong is focused on one thing: a shock announcement earlier this week by genomics researcher He Jiankui, claiming that he used CRISPR gene editing on human embryos resulting in the birth of healthy twin babies. The claim has prompted an outcry from scientists, who are concerned that He leap-frogged international ethics discussions and put the children at risk of unknown health effects. Even He’s own university distanced itself from the results. Now, scientists are also raising the prospect of a chilling effect on their efforts to safely translate gene-editing technology into treatments. Nature | 6 min read