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Heritable genome editing could become "morally permissible"

23 July 2018

An independent inquiry led by Nuffield Council on Bioethics, involving UCL, has concluded that editing the DNA of a human embryo, sperm, or egg to influence the characteristics of a future person ('heritable genome editing') could be "morally permissible".

Gerome editing

The technique of genome editing could be used to alter the DNA of a human embryo, before it is transferred to the womb. This is not currently lawful in the UK, but could, in time, become available as an option for parents who wish to influence the genetic characteristics of their future child (for example, to exclude a heritable disease or a predisposition to cancer in later life).

The inquiry on bioethics had eight contributing academics including Professor Joyce Harper (UCL Institute for Women's Health).

The new report, Genome editing and human reproduction: social and ethical issues, 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.

If heritable genome editing becomes "morally permissible", a number of measures would need to be put in place first to ensure that genome editing proceeds in ways that are ethically acceptable.

Nuffield Council on Bioethics says that the possibilities raised by this radical new approach to reproductive choices could have significant implications and there must be action now to support public debate and to put in place appropriate governance.

The Council recommends that two overarching principles should guide the use of 'heritable genome editing interventions' for them be ethically acceptable:

  • they must be intended to secure, and be consistent with, the welfare of the future person; and
  • they should not increase disadvantage, discrimination or division in society

Professor Harper said, "Our report does not say we should or should not do genome editing. What we recommend is that we need an independent body to lead a broad societal debate, so we can hear from a range of groups and people including those who might be affected by this potential treatment. If this debate recommends this technology, parliament would need to decide as it would require a change in the UK law.

If it was approved, regulation of this potential treatment would be by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and it would most likely be restricted to serious genetic diseases which would be assessed on a case by case basis with follow up of any children. It is important to be aware that the technique is not ready to be applied clinically and there is a lot more research that is needed before this was possible. This could take years or decades."

The Council further recommends that heritable genome editing interventions should be permitted only when:

  • there has been a sufficient opportunity for broad and inclusive public debate about its use and possible implications  
  • further research has been carried out to establish standards of clinical safety
  • the risks of adverse effects for individuals, groups and society as a whole have been appropriately assessed and measures are in place to monitor and review these

It adds that, if it were to be permitted, it should be:

  • strictly regulated (by the HFEA in the UK)
  • introduced only in the context of a clinical study, with monitoring of the long-term effects on individuals and groups
  • licensed on a case-by-case basis

Although the UK is one of the countries that permits research on human embryos, the law does not currently permit genome editing interventions on embryos that are to be placed in a womb. The law would therefore have to be changed in order to allow the use of genome editing embryos, sperm or eggs for reproduction. 

One of the main reasons heritable genome editing interventions are controversial is that changes may be passed on to future generations.

Professor Dave Archard, Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics said: "Huge advances are happening in genomics research, and whilst we have to acknowledge that genes alone do not shape a person, the possibility of using genome editing in reproduction to secure or avoid a characteristic in a child offers a radically new approach that is likely to appeal to some prospective parents.

There may be good reasons for allowing some parental preferences to be met, but we need to be careful that the use of genome editing to help parents to exercise these preferences doesn't increase social disadvantage, discrimination or division and that close attention is paid to the welfare of those involved, especially any child born as a result." 

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Media Contact

Rowan Walker

Tel: +44 (0)20 3108 8515

Email: rowan.walker [at] ucl.ac.uk