• Salk Institute scientists used specifically engineered molecular scissors to snip out mutations in embryos, leaving healthy DNA intact.They were able to recognise and cut out disease-causing mtDNA in mouse embryos,  and the resulting offspring were healthy.
  • Researchers also used the technique successfully on faulty human mtDNA, inserted into mouse eggs.They say the next step is to run preliminary laboratory tests on discarded human embryos. 
  • If proven safe and effective, they argue it would provide a simpler alternative to mitochondrial transfer therapy recently given the green light by UK authorities.

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