Skip to content

Scientists back temporary global ban on gene-edited babies

The ban comes after an announcement that gene-edited twins had been born in China
15943166_web1_baby-256857_1280

An international group of scientists and ethicists are calling for a temporary global ban on making babies with edited genes.

It’s the latest reaction to last November’s announcement that gene-edited twins had been born in China. That development was widely criticized as risky and unethical.

Wednesday’s call for a moratorium came from 18 researchers from seven countries. They presented their proposal, which has no legal authority, in the journal Nature.

READ MORE: 200 tremors recorded near Vancouver Island due to ‘tectonic dance’

They want a temporary ban of perhaps five years that would allow time for discussion of critical technical, scientific, societal and ethical issues.

They proposed that once those discussions had taken place, individual countries could decide on what to allow.

About 30 nations already prohibit making babies with edited genes. It’s essentially banned in the U.S.

READ MORE: ‘Modesty is important:’ B.C. trustee’s new dress code moves ahead despite opposition

Malcolm Ritter, The Associated Press

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.