Georgetown Bioethicist's Statement on Reported "Embryo Editing" Request

Below is a statement from a Georgetown University Medical Center bioethicist/researcher regarding the news this morning that a scientist affiliated with the Francis Crick Institute has asked permission from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in the UK to edit the genomes of human embryos.

“In light of the call for a moratorium on the use of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology for human genome editing by scientists involved in the development and use of this amazing, new research tool, it is my sincere hope that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will delay processing this request by the Francis Crick Institute until the broad, public engagement that is needed to help guide the use of this powerful research tool can be accomplished.”

Kevin T. FitzGerald, S.J., Ph.D. Dr. David Lauler Chair of Catholic Health Care EthicsPellegrino Center for Clinical BioethicsAssociate ProfessorDepartment of OncologyGeorgetown University Medical Center