The education and health ministries have implemented guidelines for genome editing technology that go into effect from April 1.
The guidelines stipulate that genome editing on human embryos is acceptable only in basic research for assisted reproductive technology, including infertility treatment, and that genetically modified fertilized eggs are banned from being implanted in the wombs of humans and animals.
No rules had been established in Japan thus far, so it was imperative for the government to develop guidelines for genome editing technology, which can modify genes efficiently. The move is expected to help improve the preservation of fertilized eggs and other technologies.
According to the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, such basic research can be conducted only using fertilized eggs left over from infertility treatments. Before conducting such research, researchers must pass two screenings, one by a research institution, the other by the government.
Last year, a Chinese researcher announced that he had genetically modified the genes of fertilized eggs using genome editing technology to prevent HIV infection, and he claimed that twins were produced from the research.
Japan's new guidelines do not cover genome editing for such treatments, so those concerned are calling for tighter legal restrictions.
The Council for Science, and Technology and Innovation of the Cabinet Office has been discussing creating rules for basic research on fertilized eggs using genome editing technology to treat genetic and other diseases.
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