Research activities of people arrested following an incident involving a baby modified by a gene – Xinhua

BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) – Chinese authorities ordered Thursday to suspend research activities of those involved in the incident involving geniuses of genes, denouncing the case as "extremely abominable by nature" and contrary Chinese laws and scientific ethics.

The case of twin genes reported by the media reported by the media violently violated Chinese laws and regulations, as well as the consequences on scientific ethics, both shocking and unacceptable, told Xinhua Xu Nanping , Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Xu said the ministry was strongly opposed to the research, pointing out that the clinical procedures of editing genes on human embryos for reproductive purposes were explicitly prohibited in China.

The ministry ordered the units concerned to impose the suspension, Xu said.

He Jiankui, a Chinese researcher based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, said on Monday he had changed the DNA of twins born a few weeks ago to prevent them from contracting HIV. His request has not been proven, but the incident sparked a heated debate in the scientific community and on social media.

The National Health Commission of China (NHC) also pronounced against the incident. Zeng Yixin, deputy head of NHC, said that illegal activities in this area will be investigated and that wrongdoing will be resolutely addressed.

As science and technology progress rapidly, research and applications in this area must take on more responsibility and codes of ethics must be strictly adhered to, Zeng added.

The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), a research company composed mainly of researchers and scientists, said that He Jiankui's candidacy for a prize for young scientists would be disqualified, the CAST adopting an attitude of "zero tolerance" to those who violate scientific ethics. and standards.

Huai Jinpeng, party leader and executive vice president of CAST, described the case as "extremely abominable by nature" and said that it had seriously undermined the image and interests of the Chinese scientific community.

The people and institutions involved in this case have "boldly challenged the basic goals of ethical scientific research and desecrated the spirit of science," Huai said.

"The Chinese scientific community is committed to its original purpose that science and technology must always serve humanity and a healthy and sustainable development of society," he said.