BioCentury
ARTICLE | Strategy

A meeting about a meeting

International gene editing summit kicks can down the road

December 17, 2015 8:00 AM UTC

The highly anticipated International Summit on Human Gene Editing recognized the potential dangers of germline gene editing but stopped short of recommending a ban, leaving parties on both sides of the table still wanting more definitive answers on if, how and when the technology might be usable in the clinic. While the greatest common ground was the need to define safety, organizers put off for another day any attempt to outline standards or even set a timeline.

On Dec. 1-3, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), National Academy of Medicine (NAM), the U.K.'s Royal Society and the Chinese Academy of Sciences co-hosted the summit in Washington, D.C., to discuss the scientific, ethical and political implications of human gene editing. ...