Scientists report major breakthrough in human gene editing

Scientist holding dish of human embryos.
(Image credit: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

Scientists have managed to edit genes in human embryos to eliminate the mutation that causes the heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a study published Wednesday reports. It is the first time researchers have successfully edited genes so that all the cells were mutation-free and no extra mutations were formed.

"It feels a bit like a 'one small step for (hu)mans, one giant leap for (hu)mankind' moment," biochemist Jennifer Doudna told The New York Times in an email.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.