**9. Genetics, oocyte and embryo research**

#### **9.1 Human gene alteration**

The application of the knowledge of science to human reproduction falls within the purview of obstetrics and therefore obstetrics and gynaecological professionals should be mindful of the ethical implications of genetic studies, engineering and the application of genetics in disease management.

Gene therapy refers to the alteration of human DNA particularly for the purpose of alleviating disease burden in individual. There are three categories of alteration of human gene viz.

