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![handle is hein.crs/crsmthmbcej0001 and id is 1 raw text is:
CRS INSIGHT
CRISPR Gene Editing Research in Embryos Generates
Scientific and Ethics Debate
September 12, 2017 (IN10773)
Related Authors
*John F. SargentJ
Amanda K -Sarata
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John F. Sargent Jr., Specialist in Science and Technology Policy (j5Lrget~sr5 bc gov, 7-9147)
Amanda K. Sarata, Specialist in Health Policy (aaaraja~cra Ioc goy, 7-7641)
Judith A. Johnson, Specialist in Biomedical Policy jaiohnsonacrs bc ,ov 7-7077)
A recent experiment in the United States using the gene modification tool CRISPR to target a disease gene in human
embryos has raised optimism about promising medical advances, generated scientific debate, and renewedfeat about
longstanding ethical issues.
Since 1996, Congress has prohibited the use of funds appropriated in the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill for
the creation of a human embryo or embryos for research purposes or for research in which a human embryo or
embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for
research on fetuses in utero under [federal ia1y and gu1ain]. Use of private funds for such basic research is not
prohibited. Implantation of CRISPR modified embryos as part of a clinical research study is essentially blocked,
regardless of funding source, since Congress began prohibiting use of appropriated FDA funds for the agency's review
of exemptions for such work in December 2015 (P L 114-113).
CRISPR Research in Human Embryos
In August 2017, an international team led by researchers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) reported
using CRISPR in viable human embryos to corr n ic fec which causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM),
a Leading f s n h in on ahle. Research using CRISPR in human embryos had already been
happening in other countries. Three priosly p-ublihed 5mudk by researchers in China used CRISPR for genetic
modification of both nonviable and viable human embryos. In February 2016, the United Kingdom's uman
Fertilisation and Embryology Authority approved r that would use CRISPR-Cas9 to modify healthy human
embryos to investigate the role of specific genes that are involved in early development. Three key challenges to the use
of CRISPR in embryo gene editing are its effectiveness in making intended changes; the potential for off-target effects](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsmthmbcej0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)