Cadre of gene-editing biotechs rally against altering DNA that could affect future generations

A contingent of biotechs have joined the clarion call against germline gene editing, citing unresolved safety, ethical, legal and societal issues in this type of research.

Thirteen companies, collectively representing the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, on Tuesday put out a statement of principles that said while editing of disease-causing DNA within the body’s non-reproductive (somatic) cells should proceed, editing germline cells for human trials should be off-limits, subject for more discussion on the international stage.