Viewpoints on recent UK proposal for gene editing research in preimplantation embryos. #CRISPR

Dr. Kathy Niakan of the Francis Crick Institute has submitted a proposal to the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) for permission to do basic research gene editing experiments on pre-implantation human embryos, as reported on in Nature and The Guardian.   Here are some recent perspectives on that development.

Is slippery slope argument against human embryo gene editing overblown? -  A
position posted by the Genetic Literacy Project that was adapted from the following article:

Scientists must be part of the ethical debate on human genetics - Phillip Ball, in The Guardian, 9/21/15.

Ball points out that despite the fact that this research proposal could be considered ethically acceptable, and be permitted and legal under current UK guidelines (pending HFEA's approval), this research would be a nonstarter in the USA largely due to laws prohibiting federal funding of such research.  

Taking a somewhat more critical stance comes a statement from the Center for Genetics and Society, a US nonprofit:  Center for Genetics and Society comments on First Application to Pursue Genome Editing Research in Human Embryos. 9/18/15.