Chinese scientist who created ‘mutant gene-edited babies’ FIRED for his rogue experiments – but ANOTHER woman is still pregnant
Mad scientist He Jiankui broke a host of Chinese laws around DNA tinkering
A CONTROVERSIAL Chinese scientist really did create the world's first gene-edited babies, arrogantly ignoring national rules and dodging surveillance in a quest for fame and fortune, investigators have confirmed.
He Jiankui's experiment – branded "monstrous" by some researchers – led to the birth of gene-edited twin girls nicknamed Lulu and Nana.
Jiankui announced the birth of the babies, which have altered DNA that protects them against HIV, the AIDS virus, in November, sparking an intense investigation into his claims.
This type of science is banned in most countries – including the UK – because it's often considered unethical and unsafe.
Now officials in Beijing have concluded the mad scientist's shock claims are true – meaning he broke a host of Chinese laws around DNA tinkering.
Jiankui has been fired from his research job at China's Southern University of Science and Technology as a result of the finding.
Investigators say the scientist "intentionally avoided surveillance" and forged key paperwork to carry out the sick experiments, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
He "used technology of uncertain safety and effectiveness to perform human embryo gene-editing activity with the purpose of reproduction, which is officially banned in the country".
Between March 2017 and November 2018, Jiankui recruited eight couples for his morbid work, forging ethical review papers to get around the law.
The experiments resulted in two pregnancies, with one mother giving birth to twins nicknamed “Lulu” and “Nana”, investigators said.
Another woman is still carrying a gene-edited fetus, meaning a second gene-edited birth is on the way.
Jiankui and his staff will be punished for the ghoulish experiments according to Chinese law and regulations.
The Guangdong government will keep the twins under medical observation.
There was previously plenty of scepticism around Jiankui's claims, given that there aren't even any photos of the twin girls.
What is gene editing?
Here's what you need to know...
- Gene editing involves inserting, deleting, modifying or replacing the DNA of a living organism
- It could help protect humans against diseases and natural illness
- And some believe that gene editing could give us superhuman enhancements
- These could include boosted sense of smell or improved night vision
- Scientists are divided over the ethics of gene editing
- Editing DNA is a new and risky science that could have unknown consequences for babies
- And DNA-editing could lead to societal changes, with the prospect of "designer babies" becoming real
- This could lead to severe inequality – a future where only the rich can afford to modify their DNA could lead to a new elite race of superhumans
- Gene editing has been successfully performed on mice embryos
- And one Chinese scientists claims to have successfully gene-edited the embryos of two human baby girls
The scientist also failed to publish his work in a scientific journal, as would be normal procedure with such a monumental experiment.
Confusion remains around why Jiankui decided to edit the baby genes to protect against HIV – rather than a disease that's more difficult to treat.
Unsurprisingly, he has faced heavy criticism over his experiment, which used a special DNA-editing tool to alter the genes of embryos before using them as part of a fertility treatment.
Dr Yalda Jamshidi, a gene expert at the University of London, said: “It now appears following investigations by the Chinese authorities, that as many had feared, the experiments that led to the birth of the gene-edited twins Lulu and Nana, resulted from a series of poor decisions, avoidance of regulatory and ethical frameworks, lack of scientific integrity, and most likely a quest for fame and fortune by scientist He Jiankui.
"Unsurprisingly, the experiments have been met with heavy criticism, particularly as the procedures used have not been tested for safety in humans, and were not carried out for any real medical need.
"The report will hopefully set an example with appropriate legal and punitive actions to reassure the public and scientific community that gene editing, like all potentially new medical interventions, will only be allowed where they address a true medical need, and with appropriate ethical and regulatory oversight.”
Prof Julian Savulescu, from the University of Oxford, said: "This experiment is monstrous. These babies are genetic guinea pigs."
He added: "This experiment exposes healthy normal children to risks of gene editing for no real necessary benefit."
According to Jiankui, the goal wasn't to cure or prevent inherited diseases.
Instead, he hoped to give the babies a natural trait that helps them resist future HIV infection.
Jiankui said that the parents didn't want to be identified or interviewed, and declined to say where they live – or even where the work was done.
But he did reveal that the girls were named Lulu and Nana, and were born "normal and healthy".
According to the BBC, the Shenzhen hospital said to have housed the project "denied doing so".
And Professor He's own university, the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, said it was unaware of the project, and was investigating the claims.
Hundreds of Chinese scientists took to the local Weibo social media site to condemn the research.
Speaking shortly after he announced the experiment, Jiankui told the AP: "I feel a strong responsibility that' it's not just to make a first, but also make it an example."
"Society will decide what to do next."
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