Genetic modification of human IVF embryos could be carried out for the first time in British history, by scientists hoping to find out why some women suffer miscarriages.
The geneticists have applied for a unique licence from the Government’s fertility watchdog to carry out the procedure using a gene manipulation technique called Crispr/Cas9.
If granted, it will be only the second occasion where the chromosome of human embryos have been modified.
But critics have voiced concerns the technique 'crosses the line' and could pave the way for ‘designer babies’, where embryos are modified to choose desirable or cosmetic characteristics.
The geneticists involved say they hope to use the technique to understand what causes some women to suffer repeated miscarriages. Pictured: Embryo selection for IVF
In April this year, Chinese scientists became the first to use the technology to genetically modify ‘spare’ human IVF embryos, and campaigners voiced concerns it marked a slippery slope towards designer babies.
Editing genetic codes to remove inherited disease has already been shown to work on mice.
However most geneticists believe the procedure is not ready to be carried out on human embryos -after the Chinese research led to unwanted mutations in DNA.
The application for a licence to perform ‘genome editing’ on human embryos has been made by Dr Kathy Niakan, of the Francis Crick Institute, London.
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She emphasised that there would be ‘no GM babies’ because the team simply wants to understand the genetics of early embryonic development.
However, she accepts that this may be safe, medically justifiable and ethically acceptable at some point in future, the Independent reports.
The technology might be used, for instance, to avoid genetic conditions or prevent inherited disorders in babies born by IVF.
'We are not contemplating altering genes for clinical purposes – we are interested in basic mechanisms of embryonic development,' Dr Niakin told Steve Connor, of the Independent.
Graphic shows how the Crispr/Cas9 technique works by 'cutting open' a DNA's double helix in order to delete a certain section of DNA, or add a new section, fundamentally 'editing' it
'If any of our discoveries suggest ways to improve embryo development after IVF, or to improve implantation frequency, or to prevent miscarriage, these would involve conventional approaches, not the manipulation of genes,' she said.
If the application is granted, the genetically modified embryos would be destroyed after the project was completed, she said.
She also maintains there is no possibility that the embryos could survive.
‘There are suggestions that the methods could be used to correct genetic defects, to provide disease resistance, or even to introduce novel traits that are not found in humans.
'However, it is up to society to decide what is acceptable – science will merely inform what may be possible,' she added.
In 2008 the UK’s laws on IVF was changed to allow genetic manipulation of embryos that are less than two weeks old for research purposes, and regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
However, under the HFE Act 2008, it still illegal to create genetically modified embryos for implanting into the womb, or to change the ‘germline’ DNA, the source of DNA for all other cells in the body, of chromosomes passed on to future generations.
But it continues to attract controversy as critics fear DNA alterations could create unforeseen health problems that would be passed down from generation to generation of the population.
Dr Niakan said the work she is proposing is in keeping with the HFE Act 2008.
The knowledge acquired from the research could help scientists understand how a healthy human embryo develops, which could explain what causes miscarriage, she said.
It could help improve how embryos develop after IVF, and improve infertility treatments, she added.
If they receive a licence, the team hope to start work as soon as possible – although they will need to obtain sufficient embryos.
A study by Chinese scientists in April this year was the first to use the gene editing technique Crispr/Cas9 on human embryos.
The team from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, south China, were aiming to modify the gene responsible for beta thalassaemia - a potentially fatal inherited blood disorder.
They used the advanced ‘cut and paste’ technique, which involved the injection of enzymes, and attempted to edit the DNA in 86 ‘non-viable’ human embryos from local fertility clinics.
Critics have voiced concerns the technique 'crosses the line' and could pave the way for ‘designer babies’, where embryos are modified to choose desirable or cosmetic characteristics
Nonviable embryos are those which cannot result in a live birth.
The genes only changed in 28 cases, but even among those there were numerous mutations which were not intended by the scientists.
Many experts said the ultimate failure of the procedure underlines the case for caution with the technique.
There was also deep concern that the scientists had gone too far.
After the Chinese research, the American government imposed a moratorium – a legal prohibition of the activity – on such research if it was funded by the state.
The public must raise its voice against crossing the line. If we don't is almost inevitable that we will end up in a market for 'enhanced' GM designer babies
Dr David King, director of Human Genetics Alert
Many scientists today welcomed the announcement.
Professor Bruce Whitelaw, of the University of Edinburgh, said: 'The goal of this research, to increase our understanding of how the early human embryo develops, is precisely the type of knowledge medicine needs if we are to improve IVF methods.
However, critics raised concerns over the possibility it could open the door for 'GM babies'.
Dr David King, director of Human Genetics Alert, a campaign group which opposes genetically-modified babies, said: ‘The public must raise its voice in support of the strong international consensus against crossing this line.
'If we don’t, it is almost inevitable that we will end up in a market for "enhanced" GM designer babies.’
A spokesperson for the HFEA said: 'Genome editing of embryos for use in treatment is illegal.
'It has been permissible in research since 2009, as long as the research project meets the criteria in the legislation and it is done under an HFEA licence.
'We have recently received an application to use CRISPR-Cas9 in one of our licensed research projects, and it will be considered in due course.'
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