Health Highlights: July 27, 2017

U.S. Scientists Report Embryo Gene Editing SuccessDrug Wholesaler McKesson Corp. Restructures to Improve Oversight of Opioid SalesSuspected Case of Mosquito-Transmitted Zika in TexasAngelina Jolie Reveals Bell's Palsy Diagnosis

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

U.S. Scientists Report Embryo Gene Editing Success

The first successful editing of DNA in multiple human embryos has been conducted for the first time in the United States, scientists say.

Using gene-altering technology called CRISPR, the team at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland altered the DNA of multiple one-cell embryos, according to US News & World Report.

This is not the first time that DNA has been edited in human embryos, but the researchers solved previous issues with "off-target" editing by injecting CRISPR into the eggs at the same time they were fertilized with sperm.

The embryos were allowed to grow for only a few days, but the research could help advance efforts to eliminate or correct genes associated with inherited diseases, according to US News & World Report.

The research was published in MIT Technology Review.

While concerns have been raised about genome editing, a U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine report released earlier this year says gene editing is "a realistic possibility that deserves serious consideration," according to US News & World Report.

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Drug Wholesaler McKesson Corp. Restructures to Improve Oversight of Opioid Sales

The creation of an independent board chairman was announced Wednesday by leading U.S. drug wholesaler McKesson Corp.

The decision to split the CEO and board chairman jobs was in response to a Teamsters-led shareholder protest over the company's role in distributing opioids, the Associated Press reported.

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Suspected Case of Mosquito-Transmitted Zika in Texas

A suspected case of mosquito transmission of the Zika virus in Texas would, if confirmed, be the first known instance of local mosquito transmission of the virus in the continental United States this year.

The case involving an unidentified person was reported in Hidalgo County on the Mexican border, The New York Times reported.

The virus "was probably transmitted by a mosquito bite in South Texas sometime in the last few months," according to the state's health department.

It said the affected person is no longer capable of transmitting the virus, The Times reported.

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Angelina Jolie Reveals Bell's Palsy Diagnosis

Actress Angelina Jolie says she was diagnosed last year with Bell's palsy.

Jolie revealed the health problem in an interview in the latest issue of Vanity Fair. Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial paralysis caused by damage or trauma to the facial nerves. Jolie said the condition caused one side of her face to droop, CBS News reported.

The actress said she received acupuncture treatment and has made a full recovery.

In the interview, Jolie also said she's been diagnosed with high blood pressure, CBS News reported.

Jolie underwent a double mastectomy in 2013 after learning she had a gene mutation that increased her risk of cancer, and also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventive measure against ovarian cancer.

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