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Oversight of human inheritable genome modification

Nature Biotechnology volume 33, pages 454–455 (2015)Cite this article

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To the Editor:

Progress in genome-editing technology is enabling deletions and additions in human DNA sequences with greater efficiency, precision and control than ever before. This technology holds great promise for promoting and improving human health and well-being1. However, it has rejuvenated old debates in a context of alarmism2. We are faced once again with the need to assess the socio-ethical and legal implications of intentional modification of the human germ line, as the nearly unanimous condemnation of germ-line modification in the 1990s pre-empted the very debate that should have been taking place over the past 25 years.

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  1. Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Rosario Isasi & Bartha M. Knoppers

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  1. Rosario Isasi
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  2. Bartha M. Knoppers
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Correspondence to Rosario Isasi.

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Isasi, R., Knoppers, B. Oversight of human inheritable genome modification. Nat Biotechnol 33, 454–455 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3231

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