The scientist who created the first genetically modified babies acted illegally, according to research

In November 2018, the controversy broke out when Chinese researcher He Jiankui announced the birth of the first twins he had genetically altered to make them immune to the AIDS virus.

The experts soon criticized their action and even question their credibility, both for their medical and ethical implications.

Today, the state news agency Xinhua reports that, after a preliminary investigation into the alleged 'genetically modified babies', The Chinese Government has concluded that the researcher illegally conducted the experiment in search of fame and personal gain.

Genetic modification is prohibited in China

Photo: He Jiankui, from Wikimedia Commons

A research team from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong has determined that:

"He Jiankui eluded supervision, raised funds and organized researchers on their own to carry out the investigation of genetic modification of human embryos for reproductive purposes, something that is prohibited by Chinese law."

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This is how blunt the Xinhua news agency is, which explains that in addition to the birth of the twins, Lulu and Nana, the experiment generated another embryo that has not yet been born and five that were not fertilized.

All three will remain under medical observation with regular consultations supervised by government health agencies.

What the Chinese researchers did was to use a novel technique, called CRISPR, which consists of cutting, pasting and modifying genetic material in the cell's DNA. It was achieved by modifying a gene called CCR5 that, when it presents a mutation known as "delta32", makes the cell immune to the attack of HIV.

The report does not clarify what laws the scientist could have violated, but says that an ethical review of other colleagues was invented to defend his project:

"This behavior seriously violates the ethics and integrity of scientific research, is a serious violation of relevant national regulations and creates a pernicious influence at home and abroad."

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Also remember the report that the safety and effectiveness of the technologies you used are unreliable and the creation of genetically modified babies for reproduction is prohibited by national decree.

In fact, as the AP agency explains, genetic editing for reproductive purposes is prohibited in most of Europe, including Spain, and in most other countries, such as the United States. And in China, the rules prohibit embryo research that "Violate ethical or moral principles".

The archives are already held by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, which will decide what sanctions and penalties to apply both to He Jiankui, and to those who collaborated in his deception.

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Video: The Science Behind 'Genetically Modified Humans' (March 2024).