Ethics of human genome editing needs further review: White House

GOING TOO FAR: The technology, which has the potential to create "designer babies," ignited an outcry from scientists last month when it was used in China to alter the DNA of human embryos.

WASHINGTON: The White House said the ethical issues associated with gene-editing on the human genome need further study by the scientific community and should not be pursued until issues are resolved. 

"The administration believes that altering the human germline for clinical purposes is a line that should not be crossed at this time," John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said in a statement.