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Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

A weekly programme looking at the science that's changing our world.

A weekly programme that illuminates the mysteries and challenges the controversies behind the science that's changing our world.

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BBC Inside Science: Inside Science Shorts: Gene-edited Babies

Inside Science Shorts

Gene-edited Babies

BBC Radio 4 - BBC Inside Science, Inside Science Shorts, Gene-edited Babies

Fallout from the CRISPR-baby scandal - what's next for human genome editing?

There was universal outrage when a Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui announced he had edited the genomes of twin girls. Adam Rutherford explores the ethical controls on this work.

When the news broke last November that Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui had successfully edited the genomes of twin girls using the technique known as CRISPR-Cas9, scientists and the public were rightly outraged that such a procedure had taken place. Jiankui is currently being investigated by Chinese authorities for breaking legal and ethical guidelines on human genome editing. There have also been calls for a global moratorium on gene editing in the clinic. Yet rules are already in place that should stop this happening. Dr Helen O’Neill, a Lecturer in Reproductive and Molecular Genetics at University College London and BBC Science and Health Correspondent James Gallagher talk to Adam Rutherford what the gene editing technique involves and what the risks are of another rogue scientist following He Jiankui's unethical and dangerous lead.

BBC Inside Science: Inside Science Shorts

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Adam Rutherford gets behind the headlines to explain current research in simple terms.

Adam Rutherford gets behind the headlines to explain current research and its impact in simple terms.

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