Scientists just made a major step toward “editing” human embryos.

Researchers at Columbia used a newer gene-editing method called base editing to change individual DNA letters in early human embryos. Its less like cutting DNA with scissors, and more like correcting a typo in the genetic code.

They targeted genes linked to LDL cholesterol and hemoglobin - and unlike older CRISPR methods, they did not see the same kind of major chromosome damage.

Embryo editing could one day help prevent devastating inherited diseases.

So exciting times ahead.