One such tool is PGD, which could make it possible to detect rare, undesirable mutations after CRISPR has edited the genome but before the growing embryo is placed in the mother’s womb. Another option that might become possible in the future is to avoid off-target mutations entirely by editing primordial egg and sperm cells instead of fertilized embryos. Although the technology is still in its infancy, research in mice has demonstrated that eggs and sperm can be grown in the laboratory from stem cells and used to establish pregnancies. By eliminating disease-causing mutations with CRISPR and
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