Scientists to ‘edit’ genes of human embryos

Fertility chiefs have been accused of putting science before ethical principles after giving the go-ahead for scientists to edit the genes of human embryos.

The move by the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates fertility scientists, means the UK is the first country in the western world to allow such research.

Scientists led by Kathy Niakan, at the Francis Crick Institute in London have been granted a licence to “cut and paste” the DNA of donated embryos as part of an investigation into mis-carriage.