A team of researchers in the United States has successfully achieved highly precise DNA editing in human embryos, marking what they describe as a major milestone in genetic science. Led by geneticist Dieter Egli at Columbia University, the study used a technique known as base editing, which allows for subtle DNA changes with fewer harmful effects compared to the traditional CRISPR method. The researchers reported successful edits to genes linked to heart disease risk and fetal hemoglobin production. The study is currently under peer review and has not yet been published in a scientific journal.

Scientists say the breakthrough could one day help correct genetic defects in embryos created through IVF, potentially preventing hereditary diseases. However, critics warn that the same technology could be used to select traits such as intelligence or height, raising fears of a new era of eugenics. The research’s next phase is being funded by Nucleus Genomics, a company previously criticized for predicting embryo traits.

Experts caution that the technology remains experimental, with unresolved safety and ethical questions, and emphasize the need for broad societal discussion before clinical use.