Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
As Gene Manipulation Booms, Scientists Wonder, 'How Far Should We Go?'
People in pain write to Jennifer Doudna. They have a congenital illness. Or they have a sick child. Or they carry the gene for Huntingtons disease or some other dreadful time bomb wired through every cell in their body. They know that Doudna helped invent an extraordinary new gene-editing technology, known as CRISPR. But they dont all seek her help. One woman, the mother of a child with Down syndrome, explained: I love my child and wouldnt change him. Theres something about him thats so special. Hes so loving in a way thats unique to him. I wouldnt change it. The scientist tears up telling this story. It makes you think hard about what it means to be human, doesnt it? she says. (Achenbach, 5/3)
