Abstract

This paper considers the legal and regulatory framework for the practice of gene editing technologies in the UK. It sets out the legal framework for the uses of gene editing which are currently permitted by the legislation and considers what amendments and extensions are likely to be required of the regulatory framework, if gene editing technologies are allowed to be developed in both a research and clinical context. The paper will then address some of the problems which exist in the current regulatory framework, and the ethical and legal problems of extending the range of permitted activities to include controversial gene editing technologies in humans, particularly those involving human embryos and germ line interventions. The paper will offer some proposals as to how the problems may be overcome in the regulation of gene editing technologies.