METHODS
What is the gene-editing method used called?
Hint: It works as genetic "scissors"
CRISPR-Cas9
If one parent has a mutated copy of a gene, what is the chance of passing the disease to children?
50%
What were the two techniques scientists used in the NY Times article to remove a dangerous mutation?
Genetic "scissors" were inserted into fertilized eggs
"Scissors" were injected with the sperm into the egg
What would happen if embryos with the repaired mutation were allowed to develop into babies?
They would be disease free and would not transmit the disease to descendants
What happened when genetic "scissors" were inserted into fertilized eggs?
The mutation was repaired in some but not all of the resulting embryos in the cells
Why are the results from the NY Times article encouraging?
It could apply to more than 10,000 conditions caused by specific inherited mutations, including breast and ovarian cancer
It could also help couples who could not otherwise have healthy children
What happened when the "scissors" were injected along with the sperm into the egg?
More embryos emerged with repaired genes in every cell
What was discovered by researchers that was unexpected?
A previously unknown way that embryos repair themselves
The sperm cell's mutant gene ignored the DNA template introduced by scientists and instead copied the healthy DNA sequence from the egg cell