A panel of the WHO calls for registration of all research on the editing of human genes

LONDON (Reuters) – It would be irresponsible for any scientist to conduct studies on genetic engineering in humans, and a central registry of research plans should be put in place to ensure transparency, experts said Tuesday. the World Health Organization.

After its first two-day meeting in Geneva, the WHO Gene Publishing Experts Group, which was established in December after a Chinese scientist said that he had modified the genes of twin babies, had declared to be agree on a framework for the definition of future standards.

A central registry of all research on the editing of the human genome was needed "to create an open and transparent database of work in progress", and asked the WHO to start putting in place such a register immediately.

"The committee will develop essential tools and guidance for all those working on this new technology to ensure maximum benefit and minimal risk to human health," said Soumya Swamanathan, chief scientist for the team. WHO, in a statement.

Last year, a Chinese scientist claimed to have changed the genes of twins.

The news of births has sparked global condemnation, in part because it has raised the ethical specter of so-called "designer babies" – in which embryos can be genetically engineered to produce children with desirable traits.

Scientists and ethicists from seven countries last week called for a global moratorium on genetic modification of eggs, sperm or human embryos, which would give rise to such genetically modified babies, claiming that "This could have permanent and potentially harmful effects on the species".

In its statement, the WHO Expert Panel stated that all human gene editing work should be done for research purposes only, should not be the subject of clinical trials, and should be conducted transparently.

"It is irresponsible at the moment for anyone to proceed with clinical applications of human genome line editing."

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the initial plans of the group. "Gene editing is an incredible promise for health, but it also has ethical and medical risks," he said.

The committee stated that it wants, over the next two years, to create "a comprehensive governance framework" for national, local and international authorities, to ensure that the science of science Editing of the human genome progresses within agreed ethical limits.