The experiment with human embryos was dreaded, yet widely anticipated. Scientists somewhere, researchers said, were trying to edit genes with a technique that would permanently alter the DNA of every cell so any changes would be passed on from generation to generation.
Those concerns drove leading researchers to issue urgent calls in major scientific journals last month to halt such work on human embryos, at least until it could be proved safe and until society decided if it was ethical.
Now, scientists in China report that they tried it.
The experiment failed, in precisely the ways that had been feared.
The money quote comes right at the very end.
[blockquote]“This type of intervention would achieve worldwide acclaim,†Dr. Daley said. “I think that is the sort of deranged motivation that sometimes prompts people to do things.†[/blockquote]