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TOKYO >> The Japanese government has established guidelines for genome editing technology for human embryos.
The guidelines, instituted April 1 by the education and health ministries, stipulate that genome editing on embryos is acceptable solely in basic research for assisted reproductive technology, including infertility treatment. The technology is expected to help improve the preservation of fertilized eggs, among other benefits.
Genetically modified fertilized eggs are banned from being implanted in humans and animals.
According to the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, basic genome editing research can be conducted using fertilized eggs left over from infertility treatments. Prospective researchers must pass two screenings, one by a research institution, the other by the government.
Last year, in an attempt to prevent HIV infection, a Chinese researcher announced that he had used genome editing technology to genetically modify the genes of fertilized eggs, and he claimed that twins were produced from the research.
Japan’s new guidelines do not cover genome editing for treatment of disease, and critics are calling for tighter legal restrictions.
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