Include Egg Donors in CRISPR Gene-Editing Debate

November 19, 2019

(Nature) – We argue that egg donors should be more involved in discussions on the ethical aspects of human germline gene editing (see Nature 574, 465–466 (2019) and E. S. Lander et al. Nature 567, 165–168; 2019). Experimental data from large numbers of human embryos could be necessary to refine and improve germline gene editing, as well as to evaluate the technique’s safety and efficacy. Moreover, studies involving the creation of embryos seem preferred for testing for specific mutations and to reduce mosaicism (H. Ma et al. Nature 548, 413–419; 2017). This means that oocytes will have to be procured from large numbers of women.