Should we create ‘designer babies’? Scientists at a US university have found a cleaner, safer way to edit genes. Some worry it might have dystopian consequences.
Breakthrough ignites ‘superbaby’ debate
Ten fingers, ten toes: The first thing new parents do is ask: "Is my baby healthy?" In the future, this could be all but guaranteed. Glossary
Metabolic - Relating to the functioning of a living organism.
Genes - Sections of DNA strands that act as a kind of instruction manual for a human being. There is still a great deal we do not understand about how they work.
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information.
CRISPR - CRISPR-Cas9 allows scientists to remove, add or alter sections of DNA with ease and simplicity.
Microscopic - So small that they can only be seen with a microscope.
Chromosomes - A threadlike structure found in the nucleus of most living cells, carry genetic information in the form of genes.
Embryos - An unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development.
Genomics - The study of an organisms genes and how the information in those genes affects the body.
IQ - A means of measuring human intelligence. A person’s IQ is usually ascertained by making them sit a standardised test. Some have criticised these tests as a means of evaluating intelligence, claiming that they ignore much of what it means to be intelligent.