Editing the DNA of Human Embryos Could Protect Us From Future Pandemics

January 12, 2021

(Gizmodo) – Hollywood blockbusters such as X-men, Gattaca and Jurassic World have explored the intriguing concept of “germline genome editing” – a biomolecular technique that can alter the DNA of sperm, eggs or embryos. If you remove a gene that causes a certain disease in an embryo, not only will the baby be free of the disease when born – so will its descendants. The technique is, however, controversial – we can’t be sure how a child with an altered genome will develop over a lifetime. But with the COVID-19 pandemic showing just how vulnerable human beings are to disease, is it time to consider moving ahead with it more quickly?