The US National Academies of Sciences and Medicine submitted a report that allows the lifting of the ban on the creation of genetically modified people in the future. However, in this case, it will not be allowed to improve human traits and abilities, but only to correct mutations that contribute to the emergence of severe hereditary diseases. This is reported by MedicalXpress.
Currently, a number of countries banned the creation of human embryos with edited DNA. In case it is removed, experts have proposed a number of recommendations to be followed by scientific and medical centers. First, it is possible to resort to modifying the genome if the genetic disease cannot be controlled by any other means. Second, editing should only target genes that are clearly associated with an inherited disorder. In addition, clinical trials must be closely monitored, and sufficient data are available on the benefits and potential risks of DNA interference.
Scientists also believe that the public should be involved in discussions regarding the ethical and legal issues of human genome editing. This will help establish international norms for the use of genetic engineering, which in turn will help to avoid the abuse of technology.
Currently, some scientific institutes are conducting experiments to alter human DNA, but they are limited to interfering with the genome of somatic (non-sex) cells. For example, in China, scientists modified immune cells that were then injected into a patient suffering from cancer. Such changes are not inherited, therefore, they affect only one person, without affecting his offspring.