The Human Fertilisation and Embyology Authority are due to make a decision tomorrow which will determine whether a scientist in the UK will be granted permission to alter the DNA of human embryos.
Dr. Kathy Niakan approached the HFEA with a request to turn genes on and off in day-old embryos with the help of gene editing technology in order to ascertain which genes control their development.
Thus far, Dr. Niakan has been using mouse embryos in her research - which are relatively similar to humans – but maintains that in order to further her work she would require the use of human embryos.
Dr. Niakan hopes to use fertilised embryos which were not required during IVF procedures and plans to rely on a technology known as CRISPR-Cas9 – a technique which was invented three years ago and allows for precise and inexpensive editing.
Explaining the reasoning for her request, Dr. Niakan said: “It will teach us critical information about these genes in early human development.”
Speaking to Sky News, she highlighted the potential benefits associated with the process, explaining: “It could lead to insights into some causes of miscarriage and provide us with information about developments in infertility treatment.”
As Dr. Niakan's proposal will be done in the name of research, it is deemed less controversial than the possibility of editing the genes of embryos which will ultimately develop into foetuses.
Should the HFEA grant Dr. Niakan permission to carry out her research, it will be the first national regulator to do so.
