Lab tests show risks of using CRISPR gene editing on embryos A lab experiment aimed at fixing defective DNA in human embryos shows what can go wrong with this type of gene editing and why leading scientists say it’s too unsafe to try. In more than half of the cases, the editing caused unintended changes, such as loss of an entire chromosome or big chunks of it. The Columbia University researchers used CRISPR-Cas9, the same tool that a Chinese scientist used on embryos in 2018 to help make the world’s first gene-edited babies, which landed him in prison and drew international scorn. STAT NewsAs GM insecticidal crops lose their power, scientists push for new restrictions GM Bt crops — corn and cotton plants that have been genetically modified to kill insects — are no longer offering the same protection from those bugs. Scientists say that the problem results from farmers overusing the crops, and are pushing for new regulations. Julie Peterson, an entomologist at the University of Nebraska, says that if current farming practices don't change, it's possible that all of the Bt genes currently on the market will stop working reliably within a decade. NPR; comment by GMWatchDONATE TO GMWATCH
