Chinese researchers modify human embryo genomes in experiment

Chinese researchers have genetically modified non-viable human embryos to test a genome-editing technique’s ability to forestall a potentially fatal genetic blood disorder, Nature News reported, citing results from the study published in the online journal Protein & Cell. Researchers at Guangzhou’s Sun Yat-sen University found that most the genomes of the 86 embryos used – all of which were incapable of resulting in a live birth – had failed to correctly respond to the splicing method. “Their study should be a stern warning to any practitioner who thinks the technology is ready for testing to eradicate disease genes,” said George Daley, a stem-cell biologist at Harvard Medical School.