Chinese Officials Condemn Scientist Behind First Gene-Edited Babies
China officially denounces researcher He Jiankui for illegally creating the world's first gene-edited babies, citing his pursuit of fame and fortune. Investigators confirm the birth of the edited twins and reveal he faces serious punishment for forging ethical documents.
China officially condemns scientist He Jiankui for illegally creating the world's first gene-edited babies, stating he acts in pursuit of fame and fortune. Investigators confirm that his controversial experiment results in the birth of twin girls nicknamed Lulu and Nana, who are currently under medical supervision. The government reports that another woman is pregnant as a result of this unauthorized research.
Authorities reveal that He deliberately avoids oversight by raising his own funds and forging ethical review documents to proceed with the experiment. He recruits eight couples consisting of HIV-positive fathers and HIV-negative mothers, claiming he alters the embryos' genes to prevent HIV infection. Because he uses technology of uncertain safety on human embryos for reproductive purposes, his work violates international ethical standards and Chinese law.
The scientific community expresses widespread outrage and scepticism, with hundreds of researchers condemning the experiment as unethical. Although He defends his work and claims the twins are born normal and healthy, he currently remains under house arrest in Shenzhen. As gene editing for reproductive purposes is banned in most countries, investigators promise he faces serious punishment for his actions.