- Pig kidney transplanted into living person for first time

Doctors have performed the first transplant of a genetically modified kidney from a pig into a living human. The four-hour surgery was performed on March 16 at Massachusetts General Hospital, which was also the first hospital to perform a kidney transplant in 1954. more

- Transgenic cows boost human insulin production by 10X

A genetically modified cow has produced milk containing human insulin, according to a new study. The proof-of-concept achievement could be scaled up to, eventually, produce enough insulin to ensure availability and reduced cost for all diabetics requiring the life-maintaining drug. more

- European Parliament votes to ease regulation of gene-edited crops

Europe has long been a bastion of skepticism about genetically engineered organisms, but on February 7, 2024, the European Parliament voted to lessen regulatory oversight of crops created through one type of DNA manipulation: gene editing. more

- World’s first flu-resistant chickens could pave way for gene-edited UK poultry

Scientists have created the world’s first flu-resistant chickens in an advance that could pave the way for gene-edited poultry on UK farms. The birds, which had small alterations to one gene, were highly resistant to avian flu, with nine in 10 birds showing no signs of infection when exposed to a typical dose of the virus. more

- Designer babies already exist — their creator went to jail

Gene editing in humans is not only possible, but a reality. Today, there are people with CRISPR-Cas9-edited genomes. Right or wrong, the treatment is here to stay. How do gene therapies work and what are their limits? more

- UK government urged to consider changing law to allow gene editing of embryos

Ministers must consider changing the law to allow scientists to carry out genome editing of human embryos for serious genetic conditions – as a matter of urgency. That is the key message of a newly published report by a UK citizens’ jury made up of individuals affected by genetic conditions. more

- First toddler receives life-saving gene therapy on NHS

- Frankenchickens: The ‘nightmarish’ reality of how chickens are farmed in the UK

Activists have slammed supermarket chain Morrisons for selling genetically engineered chicken that they say has been through “extreme torture.” As part of a nationwide campaign, animal welfare charity ‘Open Cages’ descended on 21 Morrisons stores and the firm's headquarters in Bradford over the May bank holiday weekend. They were protesting the chain’s sale of ‘frankenchickens’, birds genetically engineered to grow 400 per cent faster than normal in order to maximise profit. more

- Environment department scientist calls for biotechnology debate

Gideon Henderson, chief scientist at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, believes the time is ripe for a new public debate on biotechnology, the science of manipulating genes in crops and animals. more