Media Releases

New research from Dalhousie University and the Center for Genetics and Society (CGS) recently published in the CRISPR Journal finds that 70 countries categorically prohibit heritable human genome editing – procedures that would result in the genetically modified children. These results contrast with widespread underreporting of existing policies, as well as with claims that international cooperation would be unlikely on the issue of heritable genome editing for human reproduction.

Policies from 106 countries were surveyed (which is more than half of the world’s nations), and researchers discovered that in addition to the 70 countries prohibiting heritable genome editing, five prohibit it - but allow for possible exceptions. The policies in the remaining countries either have no clear stance on the permissibility of heritable genome editing or are silent on the topic. Currently, no country explicitly permits it.  

When it came to related research on human germline genome editing (in which early embryos, gametes, or gamete precursor cells are genetically modified for laboratory research but are not used to initiate a pregnancy), researchers found that the policy landscape was less clear. The majority of the countries surveyed (56) have no policies on its permissibility or impermissibility. Eleven countries explicitly permit it, twenty-three prohibit it (four of these allow exceptions), and six have indeterminate policies. 

The authors of this report argue that these findings are particularly important, because high-profile international committees are currently issuing global policy recommendations. These committees have been convened by the World Health Organization; the U.S. National Academy of Medicine; the U.S. National Academy of Science; and the UK Royal Society. 

Dr. Françoise Baylis, a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Committee on Developing Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing, and a University Research Professor at Dalhousie University, is available to provide perspective on this study, and why it is critically important to have a clear and accurate understanding of the global policy landscape for heritable human genome editing. 

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Media Contact:

Michele Charlton
Communications Advisor, Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation
Dalhousie University
Cell: (902) 403-5628
Email: michele.charlton@dal.ca