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CRISPR Gene Editing in China - Geneticist Engineers First Babies with Altered DNA

Updated: Jan 9, 2020

By Tricia Marchese


On Monday, Nov. 11, 2018, Chinese geneticist Dr. He Jiankui claimed to have created the world’s first genetically-modified babies using Crispr technology, a technique capable of altering the DNA of an organism. At the Human Genome Editing Conference in Hong Kong, He announced that a set of twin girls, Nana and Lulu, were birthed with an alleged immunity to HIV/AIDS. He also announced that a mother carrying a third genetically-modified baby was still in the early stages of pregnancy, though no further details on the second mother have been released as of yet.


Though the technology is available and his claims well within reach, a precedent of false headlines and assertions surrounding genetic modification—especially in regards to Crispr—have led many to doubt the truth of these claims, furthered by the lack of evidence and detail in He’s announcement. Regardless of its truth, He’s research has sparked immense controversy and backlash across the globe. Ever since Crispr was first developed, the bioethical implications have led many nations to ban research surrounding it, including the United States, though China has been considerably less aggressive in its regulation.


In 2017, scientists from around the globe gathered in North Carolina to hold the International Conference on Crispr Technology, meant to address growing concerns with the new technology. A second conference took place on Dec. 10-12, 2018. Though no international regulations have been laid out yet, the broadening discussions, as well as the incident with He, seem to promise greater investigation into the topic.


He’s work has since been paused by the Chinese government to determine its legitimacy, and his employer, the Southern University of Science and Technology, which was also kept in the dark, is also currently in the process of investigating He’s work.


On a global scale, scientists have been speaking out against the experiments, calling into question the vagueness of his process, his secrecy, his lack of publication on the subject, and the questionable grounds for the mothers’ consent. In addition, his work has been called unnecessary and sloppy; HIV comes in several forms, and the gene that He edited only addresses one.


Though He went silent for a week following his initial announcement, he later sent out an email on Dec. 5, 2018 to Harvard student-newsletter The Crimson, vowing to publish a paper in defense of the science and ethics behind his research.

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