A group of leading researchers and ethicists from seven countries have called for a halt to genetically engineered embryo, sperm and human embryos for genetically modified children after a Chinese researcher last year announced the birth of the first genetically modified twins in the world.
The birth of the twins triggered a worldwide wave of condemnation and raised moral concerns about so-called "children's design", where embryos could be genetically altered to produce children with certain characteristics.
Researchers and ethicists want to stop genetic alterations of "sex cells" - the cells of oocytes and sperm - that can eventually be inherited by others and "may have lasting and potentially harmful effects on the human race."
The researchers said in the journal Nature on Wednesday that voluntary cessation of genetic liberalization will continue until countries can formulate international principles to guide the use of this technology. The ban will not include the genetic release of embryos for scientific research, which does not lead to the birth of children.
"The regulatory framework we are advocating will put obstacles in the way of re-engineering the human race," the experts said in a commentary in the journal Nature.
Genetic modifications for future generations may have lasting and potentially harmful effects on the human species, they said.