Embryo etiquette.

We recently discussed the rapidly evolving field of CRISPR technology, highlighting several unknowns in (near) future directions. This week’s JAMA article focuses on specifically what is and is not currently recognized as proper behavior in germline gene-editing. The summary: in vitro experimentation on embryos--okay; experimentation on embryos intended to be brought to term--not okay. While the nation’s foremost professional society for human genetics urges strong U.S. funding support for embryonic research, this is in direct conflict to federal laws currently on the books. But even without federal funding, powerful CRISPR-enabled gene-editing is already being firmly established in human embryos Again being used for research purposes only...for now. With or without Emily Post’s blessing, germline editing is happening. And we as a medical community have to decide how (if at all) we will allow its use in embryos carried to term.