U.K. authority allows gene editing in human embryos

The Francis Crick Institute said the U.K.'s Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) approved an application to use gene editing techniques in human embryos. Crick said research could begin in "the next few months," pending ethical approval.

The institute said the research would focus on the first seven days of development in fertilized eggs and could lead to treatments for infertility or improve outcomes following IVF. Researcher Kathy Niakan will lead the project. ...