Equity and access need to be at the forefront of innovation in human genome editing
By Jantina de Vries and Françoise Baylis,
The Conversation
| 07. 12. 2021
In July 2021, after more than two years of study and consultation, the World Health Organization’s Expert Advisory Committee on Developing Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing released two reports: a framework for governance and recommendations on human genome editing.
The governance framework lists a number ethical values and principles, many of which have not been included in previous international reports on human genome editing. The commitments to inclusiveness, fairness, social justice, non-discrimination, solidarity and global health justice inform the content of all three reports.
The committee also addressed research involving both somatic and germline human genome editing.
Somatic human genome editing involves making changes to the DNA of non-reproductive cells. The therapeutic aim is to correct mutations responsible for genetic disease. Germline human genome editing involves making changes to the DNA of reproductive cells. These changes become heritable when the genetically altered cells are used for reproduction. For many, heritable human genome editing is ethically contentious because of its impact on future generations.
As members of the WHO Expert Advisory, we appreciate the...
Related Articles
Media coverage of recent developments in embryo gene editing might seem to suggest that gene-edited babies are close to becoming a reality. As tech billionaires eager to profit off of techno-eugenics invest in “designer baby” technologies, attempts to normalize heritable genome editing – which remains unsafe and raises significant ethical and societal concerns – are especially dangerous. It’s worth taking a closer look at these developments and what they mean, in a way that pushes back on narratives normalizing the...
By Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic | 07.07.2026
When Ludivine Verboogen and Romain Alderweireldt’s third child was born in Belgium in late 2015, they marveled at his long fingers. Perhaps one day he will be a famous pianist, they thought. But soon Ludivine grew worried that her son...
By Carl Zimmer and Marco Hernandez , The New York Times | 07.01.2026
Scientists have long dreamed of discovering the alchemy by which chemicals can be turned into life. On Wednesday, a team at the University of Minnesota announced that it had taken a major step toward that vision.
Blending together dozens of...
By Michael Le Page , New Scientist | 06.25.2026
We now know the master gene that controls embryonic development in people. Called NANOG, its role has been identified by making precise changes to the DNA of fertilised eggs using a technique called CRISPR base editing.
The discovery might lead...
