【多选题】Which of the following statements about germline gene therapy (GGT) are correct?
A.
GGT involves the introduction of new genetic material into either germ cells (sperm or oocytes) or into zygotes in vitro prior to fertilization or implantation.
B.
In GGT, germ cells (sperm or egg cells) are modified by the introduction of functional genes into their genomes.
C.
Modifying a germ cell causes all the organism's cells to contain the modified gene. The change is therefore heritable and passed on to later generations.
D.
Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, Switzerland, and the Netherlands prohibit GGT for application in human beings, for technical and ethical reasons, including insufficient knowledge about possible risks to future generations and higher risks versus somatic cell gene therapy (SCGT).
【多选题】Recommendations of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) on human germline gene editing are:
A.
After consulting its membership and experts, this final version of the Recommendations was endorsed by the Executive Committee and the Board of the respective Societies in May 2017. Taking account of ethical arguments, we argue that both basic and pre-clinical research regarding GLGE can be justified, with conditions.
B.
Furthermore, while clinical GLGE would be totally premature, it might become a responsible intervention in the future, but only after adequate pre-clinical research.
C.
Safety of the child & future generations is a major concern. Future discussions must also address priorities among reproductive and potential non-reproductive alternatives, such as PGD and somatic editing, if that would be safe and successful.
D.
The prohibition of human germline modification, however, needs renewed discussion among relevant stakeholders, including the general public and legislators.