A new study by New Zealand scientists found that editing fetal genes can effectively reverse human disease and aging, reduce the risk of cancer by more than half and prolong life for decades.

Dr. Roman Theo Olnick, a researcher at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and his team assessed the risk of disease of the participants through individual gene observation. After calculation, it is found that if people who have a higher than average risk of certain diseases accept gene editing before birth (fetal period), the time of healthy life will be greatly prolonged. The specific measure is to use DNA editing tools on eggs and sperm cells to change dozens or even hundreds of genes related to heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis and other diseases, so as to reduce the risk of fetal disease after birth.

Dr. Olnick said that fetal gene editing technology is expected to reduce the impact of family history on humans, among which the biggest benefit is to reduce cancer risk. The risk of cancer in high-risk fetuses is multiple times that of normal fetuses. Once their genes are optimized and edited, the risk of cancer will be reduced by at least 50%, and the life span can be extended by about 20 years.

Researchers said that although fetal gene editing technology can greatly improve people's ability to fight against diseases and prolong life, in addition to genetic factors, disease formation is also important associated with a variety of uncontrollable environmental factors. (Wang Xingwang)