Scientist's Claim of Genetically-Edited Babies Renews Ethics Concerns

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Assistant Professor of Genetics and Developmental Biology Stormy Chamberlain holds a tray of stem cells at the University of Connecticut`s Stem Cell Institute. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A scientist in China announced this week that he had created the world’s first genetically-edited human babies. In an announcement that shocked many, including scientists and ethicists, He Jiankui said he altered a gene in the embryos of twin girls to make them resistant to H.I.V. Forum talks about the future and ethics of using new gene editing tools like CRISPR to create genetically-altered humans.

Guests:

Marcy Darnovsky, executive director, Center for Genetics and Society

Dr. Fyodor Urnov, visiting researcher, Innovative Genomics Institute at UC Berkeley; former vice president, Sangamo

Dr. Alex Marson, head of UC San Francisco's Marson Lab

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