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New Technology On The Verge Of Manipulating Human Embryos

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A colony of human embryonic stem cells is seen on a computer monitor that is hooked up to a microscope at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center at University Wisconsin-Madison on March 10, 2009, in Madison, Wis. (Darren Hauck/Getty Images)
A colony of human embryonic stem cells is seen on a computer monitor that is hooked up to a microscope at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center at University Wisconsin-Madison on March 10, 2009, in Madison, Wis. (Darren Hauck/Getty Images)

What seems like a science fiction plot may be inching closer to being a reality.

A scientist in Sweden is exploring using new genetic editing tools to better determine and treat issues of infertility in woman. However, the practice also raises safety and ethics concerns about genetically engineering the human race.

NPR health correspondent Rob Stein joins Here & Now’s Meghna Chakrabarti to explain the new technology — and why it’s so controversial.

Guest

Rob Stein, NPR health correspondent. He tweets @robsteinnews

This segment aired on September 22, 2016.

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