DNA is 'edited' to cure liver disease for first time - and the technique could be used to treat Down's Syndrome and other genetic disorders within years

• Named Crispr, technique can correct a single ‘letter’ of the genetic alphabet
• It does this by using enzymes to target specific parts of the DNA database
• It could treat disorders like sickle-cell anaemia and Huntington’s disease
• Crispr might also be used to correct gene defects in human IVF embryos, allowing disorders to be ‘ironed out’ before a baby is born

By ELLIE ZOLFAGHARIFARD

PUBLISHED: 09:43 GMT, 22 April 2014 | UPDATED: 10:35 GMT, 22 April 2014

Genetic liver disease has been cured in living, adult mice for first time using a ‘jaw-dropping’ genome-editing technique that could soon be used on humans.

The technique, named Crispr, can make tiny changes to the huge database of the DNA molecule with what scientists describe as 'pinpoint' accuracy.

Crispr – pronounced ‘crisper’- was used to correct a single ‘letter’ of the mices' genetic alphabet which had been mutated in the gene associated in liver metabolism.

Scientists claim a similar mutation in the same gene causes the inherited liver disease in humans, raising hopes that clinical trials on patients could begin in the next few years.

They believe detailed alterations can be made to DNA, potentially allowing scientists to treat genetic disorders such as sickle-cell anaemia, Down's syndrome and Huntington’s disease.

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