What is gene editing, anyway? Much of the research is focused around laboratory and animal testing, since the safety of gene editing on human beings has not been confirmed. Altering the genes in germ cells — like those in sperm and eggs — is what raises major ethical questions. The U.S. intelligence community’s official threat assessment has raised the prospect of unregulated gene editing being used to produce harmful biological agents. Some Canadian researchers and ethicists are calling for Canada to loosen its rules, so basic research on germ cells can take place here.

Source: National Post November 26, 2018 20:44 UTC