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Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English.
I'm Sophie.
And I'm Neil.
I was watching the news the other day, Sophie.
Learn anything interesting?
Yes, actually.
UK scientists have been authorised by the government to genetically modify human embryos for research.
What they can't do, though, is implant modified embryos into women.
They talked a lot about gene editing.
Can you explain to us what gene editing is?
I think this means there are these letters in a code, A, B, C, something.
I can't remember exactly.
Gene editing is the ability to manipulate or control DNA.
And in case you didn't know, DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid.
This is a substance in the cells of animals and plants that contains genetic information.
And a gene is part of the DNA in the cell that controls the physical development and behaviour of a plant or animal and is passed on from its parents.
Phew.
Thanks for the science lesson, Sophie.